Police in Colorado have confirmed that at least five people have died following a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorada Springs.

As reported by CNN, Colorado Springs Police Luitenent Pamela Castro confirmed that five people have lost their lives and a further 18 injured after gunfire broke out at Club Q on Saturday night.

First responders were dispatched to the scene after 9-1-1 calls came in at 11:57PM on November 19.

Colorado Springs Fire Captain Mike Smaldino confirmed that 11 ambulances were required at the scene.

Officials from the FBI were also present.

Castro told reporters: "They did locate one individual who we believe to be the suspect inside. At this point in time, the suspect is being treated, but is in custody."

No comment has been given regarding how the shooting subsided, but Castro did say that the incident was "not an officer-involved shooting".

Additionally, police have provided no motive for the attack.

In the last few hours, representatives for Club Q have taken to the nightclub's Facebook page to share the following message: "Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community.

"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."

On Google, the establishment describes itself as an "adult-oriented gay and lesbian nightclub hosting theme nights such as karaoke, drag shows, and DJs."

Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee has responded to the shooting on Twitter, writing: "Sickened and horrified by the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs.

"The LGBTQ+ community is once again the target of the most terrible violence.

"And devastating attacks like these will only become more common if we don’t fight back. It must stop."

Several outlets, such as CNN and Reuters, are drawing comparisons to the 2016 shooting at gay nightclub in Florida. In what was the worst mass shooting in US history at the time, 49 people lost their lives after a gunman opened fire at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Orlando.

Our thoughts go out to all of those affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: GoogleMaps

Seven people have been left dead in a mass shooting incident in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

According to an official press release from the Colorado Springs Police Department, on Sunday, May 9, cops responded to reports of a shooting at a birthday party at Canterbury Mobile Home Park at approximately 12:18AM.

By the time they arrived at the scene, six people, including the gunman himself, were dead, while one other was seriously wounded. This individual later died shortly after being hospitalized.

Police believe the gunman was an ex-boyfriend of one of the female victims attending the party. He drove to the residence, walked inside, and opened fire, before taking his own life.

He was known by numerous people at the event, although police investigators have not yet divulged the identities of the victims in question.

In a later interview with The Denver Post, witness Yenifer Reyes told the publication that she awoke to the sounds of what she assumed was "a thunderstorm" before hearing sirens and seeing her neighbors crying hysterically.

Commenting on the incident in an official statement, CSPD Chief Vince Niski stated: "Words fall short to describe the tragedy that took place this morning.

"As the chief of police, as a husband, as a father, as a grandfather, as a member of this community, my heart breaks for the families who have lost someone they love and for the children who have lost their parents.

"From the officers who responded to the shooting to the investigators still on scene, we are all left incredibly shaken. This is something you hope never happens in your own community, in the place that you call home."

Niski continued: "When these types of unspeakable acts happen, there is nothing that can be done to fully rebuild what was lost or replace those who are no longer with us.

"My vow to this community and to the families who have lost someone today is that this department will do everything we can to find you the answers you deserve and be here for you with unwavering support.”

Meanwhile, Colorado Governor Jared Polis commented on the situation in a statement made on Twitter; tweeting to his 115,000 followers:

"The tragic shooting in Colorado Springs is devastating, especially as many of us are spending the day celebrating the women in our lives who have made us the people we are today.

"Multiple lives were taken today by this terrible act of violence. Families torn apart, and at a birthday party no less. My deepest condolences and prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone else impacted by this tragedy."

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The military veteran who subdued the gunman responsible for the LGBTQ+ nightclub shooting in Colorado has spoken out about the terrifying ordeal.

Richard Fierro - a 15-year US army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan - was with his wife, daughter, his daughter's boyfriend Raymond Vance, and their friends at Club Q in Colorado Springs for a drag performance when a gunman reportedly opened fire in the venue, fatally shooting five people and injuring at least 18 others. Sadly, his daughter's boyfriend was one of the victims.

On Monday (November 21), police revealed the identities of the five victims who lost their lives in the violent attack, naming Daniel Aston, 28, Derrick Rump, 38, Kelly Loving, 40, Ashley Paugh, 35, and Raymond Vance, via BBC. Aston and Rump were both bartenders at the club.

Police have named 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich - who is currently in hospital - as a suspect. He is accused of carrying out the senseless killings with a long rifle.

Fierro - who now owns a local brewery - spoke to The New York Times about his immediate decision to take action, stating: "I don't know exactly what I did, I just went into combat mode. I just know I have to kill this guy before he kills us."

He told The Denver Channel that he fell to the ground when he heard the initial shots, dragging a friend with him. Then, when he saw the gunman making his way across the club, he decided to tackle the assailant by grabbing his body armor.

"Was he shooting at the time? Was he about to shoot? I don't know. I just knew I had to take him down," Fierro said.

While the shooter's rifle was out of reach, Fierro stated that he noticed an extra pistol nearby that apparently belonged to the gunman.

"I grabbed the gun out of his hand and just started hitting him in the head, over and over," the quick-thinking vet stated, adding that another clubgoer came over and took the shooter's rifle away.

A drag queen further intervened, allegedly using her heel to stomp the gunman as Fierro continued hitting him on the head with the pistol.

The police eventually arrived at the scene, taking Fierro - who was covered in blood - away in handcuffs and placing him in the back of the police car for over an hour, per PEOPLE.

Since then Fierro has told The Washington Post: "I had my whole Colorado Springs family in there. I had to do something: He was not going to kill my family. I just want people to take care of people, the people who are hurt and no longer with us. I still got two of my best friends who are in the hospital. They still need prayers; they still need support."

A police investigation is currently underway, with officers working to determine whether the shooting - which occurred on the Transgender Day of Remembrance - was a hate crime. Experts are also looking into the ownership of both the rifle and the pistol.

The BBC has detailed that the suspect was previously known to the police and came to their attention over a bomb threat in 2021.

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Raymond Vance - and anybody else affected by this attack - at this difficult time.

Featured image credit: Google Maps

The father of the gunman who went on a killing spree in a nightclub last week has been met with criticism from netizens for his bizarre response to the incident.

Twenty-two-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich has been named as the suspect in the shooting that killed five people and injured at least 17 others in Colorado Springs' LGBT nightclub, Club Q.

Aldrich - whose attorneys say identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns - opened fire in the club using a large rifle on Saturday (November 19).

At a police conference on Monday (November 21), officials identified the victims as Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Raymond Vance. Family members have since confirmed that both Aston and Rump were bartenders at Club Q, per BBC News.

A local brewery owner and former military veteran made headlines after it was revealed that he apprehended Aldrich and tackled them to the ground with the help of a fellow clubgoer who stomped on them with her heels.

"I just ran over there. Got him. I'm thinking, 'I gotta kill this guy. He's gonna kill my kid. He's gonna kill my wife,'" the Iraq and Afghanistan veteran said via BBC News.

Now, it seems Aldrich's father's response to their murderous spree has caught the attention of the internet.

Aaron Franklin Brink - a devout Mormon who previously worked in adult entertainment under the name Dick Delaware - told reporters that, upon hearing of Aldrich's involvement in the shooting, he wondered whether they were "gay." Adding that he was a "Mormon" and "conservative Republican," he stated that he eventually felt relieved when he found out Aldrich wasn't gay.

A short clip of Brink talking to a local news outlet was subsequently posted on Twitter, where it has been viewed almost 12 million times.

"They started telling me about the incident, a shooting involving multiple people," he says in the clip.

"And then I go on to find out it's a gay bar. I said, 'God, is he gay?' I got scared, 'Sh**, is he gay?' And he's not gay, so I said, 'Phhhewww' [...] You know Mormons don't do gay. We don't do gay. There's no gays in the Mormon church. We don't do gay," he adds.

Brink, 48, has previously been open about his past in the porn industry as well as his addiction to methamphetamine. According to The Daily Mail, he currently works as a mixed martial artist, and has a history competing in the UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting.

Speaking to CBS 8, Brink revealed he taught Aldrich how to fight at a young age, saying: "I praised him for violent behavior really early. I told him it works. It is instant and you'll get immediate results."

Since his public commentary, the Mormon church has confirmed that Brink is a member of the community but that he has not been an active member for quite some time, per The Daily Beast.

Twitter users have voiced their disgust at Brink's comments, with one user writing that his words were "sickening," commenting: "The Club Q shooter's dad said he 'praised him for violent behavior really early. I told him it works. It is instant and you'll get immediate results.' This interview is... sickening."

"He murdered five people, but at least he’s not gay. [Jesus f****ing Christ]. This man is fueled by meth and hatred," another person wrote...

...to which someone else replied: "Please leave meth out of this lol, I was addicted to meth for 7 years, I did some things I regret, but I never became a republican."

A current police investigation will attempt to determine whether the shooting was a hate crime, and whether Aldrich acted alone.

Featured image credit: Theodore Silvius / Alamy

A gunman has killed 10 people - including one police officer - after opening fire at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday.

The incident occurred at approximately 02:30PM local time, after the man entered the King Soopers market and opened fire.

About 20 minutes later, the Boulder police department alerted local residents on social media, tweeting: "ALERT: Active Shooter at the King Soopers on Table Mesa. AVOID THE AREA. PIO is en-route."

The police department then asked that people not broadcast "any tactical information" on social media, after several witnesses live-streamed the incident on YouTube, BBC News reports.

Following a stand-off with police, an injured and shirtless suspect was arrested.

Speaking at a press conference following the arrest, Boulder police chief Maris Herold confirmed that a suspect was in custody and was receiving hospital treatment. "I want to reassure the community that they are safe," she said.

No possible motive has been given for the shooting.

Herold also revealed that 51-year-old officer Eric Talley had died as a result of the incident. Talley had been with the Boulder police department since 2010.

"The heroic action of this officer when he responded to the scene... phone calls of shots fired in the area and a phone call about a possible person with a patrol rifle," Herold said, adding: "Officer Talley was the first on the scene and he was fatally shot."

On Twitter, the department paid its respects to the late officer, writing: "Rest In peace Officer Eric Talley. Your service will never be forgotten."

In a follow-up statement on Twitter, the department said: "King Soopers spokesperson offers condolences, thoughts, and prayers to employees, customers, and first responders. Company will refer all questions to law enforcement."

Additionally, Herold told press that neither the police nor coroner will release the names of the other victims until their families have been notified.

Speaking about the families waiting "in anguish to hear about loved ones", Cheif Herold said: "I am sensitive to that, and we will work around the clock to get this accomplished."

Colorado Governor Jared Polis also responded to the incident on social media, writing: "My prayers are with our fellow Coloradans in this time of sadness and grief as we learn more about the extent of the tragedy."

And per Sky News, Boulder County district attorney Michael Dougherty told reporters: "These were people going about their day, doing their shopping. I promise the victims and the people of the state of Colorado that we will secure justice."

Featured image credit: Boulder Police Department/Twitter