Police name suspect in ‘heartbreaking’ Colorado Springs shooting
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The FBI has joined an investigation in Colorado Springs after a gunman killed five people and injured 25 others after opening fire within moments upon entering a LGBT+ nightclub on Saturday night.
Police and the district attorney’s office have named 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich as a suspect. The suspect reportedly carried an AR-15-style rifle. Two firearms were recovered from the scene.
At least “two heroic people inside the club confronted and fought with the suspect” within minutes after he entered, according to chief Adrian Vasquez, speaking at a news briefing on Sunday.
Police responded within minutes after several 911 calls from the scene just before midnight on Saturday, when the club hosted drag performances and a DJ the day before the club would commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance.
President Joe Biden urged members of Congress to reinsitute an ban on high-powered rifles like the AR-15-style weapon allegedly used in the attack. He also called on public officials to reject a “disturbing wave” of legislation designed to marginalise LGBT+ people as far-right activists and lawmakers continue to target drag events.
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AOC rebukes Lauren Boebert: “You don’t get to ‘thoughts and prayers’ your way out of this”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticised Lauren Boebert after the Colorado congresswoman demanded an end to “lawless violence” after a 22-year-old gunman allegedly opened fire inside a LGBT+ nightclub in his district, killing at least five people and injured 25 others.
“You have played a major role in elevating anti-LGBT+ hate rhetoric and anti-trans lies while spending your time in Congress blocking even the most common sense gun safety laws,” the New York congresswoman said. “You don’t get to ‘thoughts and prayers’ your way out of this. Look inward and change.”
She pointed to a legacy of political rhetoric from Republican officials that fuelled hateful violence
“And now after an anti-LGBT+ campaign, Colorado Springs. Connect the dots, @GOP,” she wrote.
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 22:45
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Joe Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after ‘senseless’ Colorado Springs shooting
President Joe Biden has reiterated his belief that America must reinstitute an assault weapons ban after an AR-15 was used in a mass shooting once again; this time, in the attack on a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs.
The president issued a statement on Sunday decrying the violence as “senseless” and adding that while police had yet to officially name a motive for the suspect’s rampage, it was clear that LGBT+ establishments and individual Americans were facing a wave of renewed hate from the far right.
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 22:15
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Joe Biden issues statement recognising Transgender Day of Remembrance
In a statement recognising Transgender Day of Rembrance on Sunday, President Joe Biden said that “there is no place for violence, hatred, and bigotry in America.”
“Yet, tragically, as last night’s attack in Colorado Springs reminds us, too many LGBTQI+ people in the United States – and around the world –continue to face unconscionable attacks,” he added.
“This is especially true for transgender Americans. On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the 32 transgender Americans known to have been taken from us this year by horrific acts of brutality,” he said. “The true toll is likely much higher, with Black and brown transgender women disproportionately targeted.”
The president said he is urging state leaders “to combat the disturbing wave of discriminatory state laws targeting young transgender Americans – legislation that hurts young people who aren’t hurting anyone.”
He also urged Congress to pass the Respect For Marriage Act, which passed a critical procedural hurdle on its way to full passage in the Senate last week, as well the Equality Act “and provide long overdue protections to transgender and all LGBTQI+ Americans.” “This is a matter of safety and basic dignity,” he added. “As we mourn the lives we’ve lost, let us resolve to continue building a country where every American can live free from fear and discrimination.”
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 21:45
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Colorado Healing Fund is supporting Club Q victims
The state-run Colorado Healing Fund is collecting donations for victims and families impacted by the mass shooting that killed five people and injured 25 others, devasting the LGBT+ community in Colorado Springs.
The fund was established to help victims of mass casualty crime in Colorado and their families.
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 21:20
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‘Heroic’ witnesses stepped in to stop shooting at Colorado Springs LGBT+ Club Q
A group of “heroic customers” stopped a gunman inside Club Q before police arrived.
“We owe them a great debt of thanks,” Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said on Sunday.
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 21:00
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In photos: Mourners gather at Club Q memorial after five killed and 25 injured in mass shooting inside LGBT+ club
Mourners gathered near a makeshift memorial surrounded by signs, flowers and painted crosses reconising five people killed in a mass shooting on 19 November inside Club Q, a LGBT+ nightclub in Colorado Springs.
(AP)
Crystal and Ella Mondragon
(AP)
Kristen Morris and her son, Kai Morris, 6
(AP)
Jessy Smith Cruz embraces Jadzia Dax McClendon
(AFP via Getty Images)
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 20:45
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Former police officer performs ‘Taps’ at makeshift memorial outside Club Q
(AP)
Chaplain and former police officer Michael Travis played “Taps” near a makeshift memorial surrounded by flowers near Club Q in Colorado Springs.
He told Colorado Public Radio that he and his husband almost went to the club last night but decided to stay home.
(AFP via Getty Images)
For the two men, the club is a second home, according to CPR.
“We have a lot of friends who work here and perform here,” he said. “Not knowing who you may have lost is pretty devastating in itself.”
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 20:30
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Law enforcement still trying to determine owner of firearms recovered at the scene
“Multiple firearms” were found at the scene of last night’s shooting inside Club Q, but “law enforcement is still working to identify who the firearms belonged to,” according to a news release from the city of Colorado Springs.
Officials determined that suspect possessed a long rifle. The firearm used in the attack was reportedly an AR-15-style rifle.
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 20:20
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‘This is our only safe space’: Colorado Springs LGBT+ club shooting survivor describes night of terror
A patron who survived the mass shooting at an LGBT+ nightclub in Colorado Springs has described his terror as he hid from the gunman with other clubgoers in a locked room.
Joshua Thurman, 34, told local media that he had been celebrating his birthday on the dance floor at Club Q when a man began shooting at patrons with a rifle, killing five and causing injuries for at least 25.
At times breaking into tears, Mr Thurman said the attack had “shattered” a vibrant community hub for LGBT+ people in the Rocky Mountains city, where drag performer Del Lusional had been hosting a show.
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 20:09
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Update: Officials report 25 injured in mass shooting attack
At least five people were killed and 25 others are injured following last night’s mass shooting inside a LGBT+ nightclub in Coloroado, city officials reported.
The list of victims increased after officials were aware of seven others who were injured in the attack.
Alex Woodward20 November 2022 19:48