Summary Statement
On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at approximately 12:00 midnight MST, a lone active shooter killed 5 and injured up to 25 patrons at the Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Attack Overview
The attack unfolded at around midnight on Saturday. According to Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Adrian Vasquez, the suspect immediately began shooting at the bar and dance floor area upon entering the establishment. Open Source reporting indicates that club patrons acted quickly to grab a handgun from the gunman, then hit him with it, subduing him. Two patrons then pinned the gunman down until police could arrive.
The first police officers arrived on the scene within three minutes of being dispatched and apprehended the suspect two minutes later. The shooting ended within minutes of the gunman opening fire.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is currently in police custody.
Suspect
The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich.
Colorado Springs District Attorney Michael Allen stated that he believed the shooting was carried out solely by Aldrich. Furthermore, he stated “If additional suspects are identified or arrested we will share that information with the public". There is no ongoing threat that we are aware of.”
Motive
As of the date of this assessment, investigators have yet to determine a motive, nor has Aldrich been formally charged. Police Chief Adrian Vasquez has stated authorities are considering whether or not the attack was targeted violence/hate crime.
Further Details
Vasquez confirmed that the suspect used a long rifle during the shooting and that law enforcement recovered at least two firearms at the scene.
Aldrich was arrested in June 2021 after a standoff at a Colorado Springs home where his mother lived. According to a news release from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report by the man’s mother he was “threatening to cause harm to her with a homemade bomb, multiple weapons, and ammunition”. Deputies reportedly called the suspect, and he initially refused to comply with orders to surrender. Police then evacuated nearby homes. Several hours later, the sheriff’s crisis negotiations unit was able to persuade Aldrich to exit the house. He was arrested without further incident. Authorities did not find any explosives in the home. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail for 2 counts of Felony Menacing, and 3 counts of First-Degree Kidnapping.
