What is known about Anderson Lee Aldrich, the author of the shooting at a gay nightclub in the United States

On the night of this Saturday, a new shooting shocked USA. At least five people were killed and 25 wounded after a gunman opened fire with an AR-15 rifle inside a gay nightclub in the state of Colorado.

Anderson-Lee Aldrich22, is the perpetrator of the attack and was taken into police custody after being reduced by the attendees themselves Club Q, a nightclub attended by people from the community LGBTQI+.

READ ALSO: The perpetrator of the deadly shooting at a US gay nightclub was identified as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich

said the president on Sunday Joe Biden after hearing the news.

A Colorado Springs Community Service officer speaks with Jace Khosla, of Pueblo, the morning after a mass shooting at Club Q. (JASON CONNOLLY / AFP)

“Places that are supposed to be safe spaces of acceptance and celebration must never become places of terror and violence. However, it happens all too often. We must eliminate inequalities that contribute to violence against people LGBTQI+”said the president.

The attack on the Club Q It happened when the Transgender Remembrance Daywhich every November 20 pays tribute to transgender people who have been subjected to violent attacks.

According to the police, Anderson-Lee Aldrich he entered the club and “immediately started shooting at the people inside… At least two heroic people inside the club confronted and fought with the suspect and were able to stop him from killing any more.”

Joshua Thurman, from Colorado Springs, cries the morning after a mass shooting at Club Q. (JASON CONNOLLY / AFP).

detailed the mayor of Colorado Springs, John Suthers, to the AP agency.

When the police broke into the club, the man was still on top of the attacker, immobilizing himadded Suthers.

“Had that individual not intervened, this could have been exponentially more tragic”said Suthers.

Anderson-Lee Aldrich He was taken injured to a hospital. Two firearms were found at the crime scene and police believe the shooter used an AR-15 assault rifle.

The place of the attack. (AFP).

What is known about the attacker?

The AP agency reported that a year and a half before the shooting in Colorado Springs, forcing residents to evacuate their homes while the bomb squad and crisis negotiators convinced him to surrender.

But there is no public record that prosecutors have requested charges against aldrich.

The AP also points out that no one activated the law of “red flag” of Coloradowhich would have allowed the authorities to seize the weapons and ammunition that the attacker had at his home, as reported by his mother.

The law allowing guns to be taken from people deemed dangerous has rarely been used in Colorado.

The silhouette of a member of the gay community is seen through a Pride flag as he pays his respects to the victims of the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado, USA. (JASON CONNOLLY / AFP).

The Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper reported Sunday that it received a call from aldrich in August where he asked them to remove the story about the incident that occurred at his home.

“There is absolutely nothing there, the case is dropped and I ask you to remove or update the story“, said aldrich in a voice message to an editor, according to the AP agency. “The entire case was dismissed.”

Although authorities have not released a motive for the shooting, the attack in Colorado comes at a time of great tension for the community. LGBTQ in USA. According to Telemundo, various drag events across the country have sparked protests and threats, with some protesters carrying firearms. Furthermore, most of them are aimed at trans people.

Jessy Smith Cruz hugs Jadzia Dax McClendon the morning after a mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado. (Jason Connolly/AFP)

The testimonials

Joshua Thurman of Colorado Springs, was in the Club Q at the time of the attack. “It was so scary”he told reporters on Sunday.

“There were bodies on the floor. There was broken glass, broken glasses, people crying. It was supposed to be our safe space…Where are we supposed to go?”he maintained, according to the AFP agency.

Bartender Michael Anderson was working at the club when shots rang out. “What I can’t stop thinking about is the images of the night, of the bodies, of the blood, of the broken glass, of the carnage and the rubble, and seeing a safe place turned into a war zone,” he told CBS. “I always hoped I would never be in a place where this would happen.”

The Transgender Remembrance Day It has been held every year since 1999, when it began as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, who had been murdered the previous year, the AFP agency reported.

After the attack, the Club Q posted on Facebook that he was “devastated by the senseless attack” on the community LGBTQI+. “We appreciate the quick reactions from the heroic customers who subdued the gunman and put an end to this hateful attack”he added.

Source: Elcomercio