At least five people have been killed and 18 injured, at least two of them critically, Sunday in a shooting at an LGBTQ club in the city of Colorado Springs, in the U.S. state of Colorado, the Police Department has confirmed.
The incident occurred at around 01.03 a.m. local time (09.03 a.m. in Spain) at Club Q, according to the police statement reported by local channel KRDO.
The suspect was injured during the attack and is receiving medical treatment at a local hospital in custody. The local Prosecutor’s Office has identified him as Anderson Lee Aldridge, 22, who entered the club with a «long-range assault rifle» with which he opened indiscriminate fire «immediately after entering the premises» until at least two customers began to reduce him.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the club’s management described the shooting as the product of a «hate attack» against the LGBTQ community – not yet confirmed by the authorities – and assured that the customers themselves were the ones who managed to overpower the attacker.
«Club Q is devastated by this senseless attack on our community. Our prayers and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We are grateful for the quick reaction of the heroic clientele, who managed to subdue the shooter and put an end to this hateful attack,» the statement said.
Police have confirmed that they are investigating the shooting as an attack specifically targeting the LGBTQ community, Colorado Springs Police spokeswoman Lt. Pamela Castro has confirmed.
