Update: Suspect named in mass shooting at Colorado gay nightclub that killed at least five

20 November 2022

Five people are confirmed dead and at least eighteen more were injured in a mass shooting inside Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado late Saturday night, CNN is reporting.

Colorado Springs Police Lieutenant Pamela Castro said in a press statement that her department began receiving "numerous" 911 calls shortly before midnight.

“They did locate one individual who we believe to be the suspect inside,” she said. “At this point in time, the suspect is being treated, but is in custody.”

Castro said that "the casualty toll 'is subject to change as the investigation continues,' adding that ambulances and police had transported 'numerous people' to hospitals. The hospitals are helping to notify families of the victims, she added. It was not immediately clear whether the suspect was one of the 18 injured," per The Washington Post.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez further revealed that the assailant's name is Anderson Lee Aldrich, who used a long gun to carry out the shooting but was subdued by two patrons inside the club.

“We owe them a great debt of thanks,” Vasquez said, per CNN.

“Club Q is a safe haven for our LGBTQ citizens,” Vasuez added. “Every citizen has a right to feel safe and secure in our city, to go about our beautiful city without fear of being harmed or treated poorly.”

CNN noted that "Colorado Springs Fire Captain Mike Smaldino said 11 ambulances responded to the scene after multiple 911 calls were received." Smaldino also confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had arrived on the scene after the attack.

"Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community," the venue wrote on social media early Sunday morning. "Our prays and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack."

Colorado's Democratic Governor Jared Polis, who is openly gay, called the massacre “horrific, sickening, and devastating” and pledged to aid law enforcement in its efforts to find out what happened.

“We are eternally grateful for the brave individuals who blocked the gunman likely saving lives in the process and for the first responders who responded swiftly to this horrific shooting,” Polis said. “Colorado stands with our LGTBQ community and everyone impacted by this tragedy as we mourn together.”

This is a developing story and has been updated.

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