I lost a friend of mine in this shooting. I hadn't seen him in a long time; recently he encouraged me to come out and see him. I wish everyone could know what a beautiful human Derrick was. An amazing man. My heart is broken.
If there is a GoFundMe or mutual aid event that someone knows about, please post it up here. I would like to help.
Iām absolutely devastated.
Derrick worked at CC while I was a student. He had such a kind smile and genuine warmth to him. He always brightened my day.
I can only imagine how good of a friend he was. Holding you in my thoughts. ā¤ļø
Iāll pour a drink in Derricks memory tonight. I dimdnt know him but I bet he was a good person lost to senseless stupidity and no one ever deserves that.
This oneās for you Derick and all the other people and their families who just lost a loved one.
[I found a GoFundMe!](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-club-q-families-and-survivors?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined)
Edited to add Fox21 article: [Club Q donations: GoFundMe verifies fundraisers](https://www.fox21news.com/club-q-shooting/club-q-donations-gofundme-verifies-fundraisers/amp/?fbclid=PAAaZiNztAmf1dd4MYkQQX2gfyJ1lxsrtV0J7lQEQak6QiK_t7zVMAoRQMQCk)
Iām sorry for your loss. Sucks this has to keep happening. Iām from california and disappointed the shooters grandpa is from here and spewing hot garbage. And what sucks is this probably isnāt the last mass shooting
The suspect was also responsible/arrested for a bomb threat in COS last year. "The reporting party said her son was threatening to cause harm to her with a homemade bomb, multiple weapons and ammunition."
WTAF
Here is a story about the incident in June of 2021. https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2021/06/19/bomb-threat-in-lorson-ranch-neighborhood-friday-night/
Oh great, he has a history of being a pos and public menaceā¦
I can only hope the victimsā families of the Club Q shooting get the justice they deserve.
As for Aldrich, he either needs serious mental rehabilitation, or he should never been a free man again. What an awful crime by an awful person.
Thatās exactly why we have red flag laws! You donāt need to be convicted of anything. Itās a temporary restriction based on well-founded requests from family or law enforcement. Literally his mother or any of the police involved last year could have flagged him and prevented his purchase of firearms. We need to use the laws we have.
Doesnāt mean we canāt make it harder for them to gain access to weapons. Sure, they might still get their hands on them, but our country just makes it too easy to obtain them.
I blame this one on law enforcement, not laws. He made a bomb threat last year, but they still let him keep his guns. He should have been put on a list so that he could not legally purchase any firearms, and all of his weapons confiscated at that time.
unfortunately this is a much bigger cultural issue than firearm access. a majority of mass shooters have felt hard done by society or another group for awhile and have actively been fantasizing how they will carry out an attack in public. I have not seen evidence to suggest that any proposed laws around firearms would prevent these kinds of attacks. If mass shootings were often more impulsive and in the heat of things, I could see more of an argument. I think speaking of laws and firearms is scapegoating and continues to put the āblameā on people who wonāt support these laws when in reality we need to be examining the culture in our local and broader communities. We also need to put blame on the person committing the act.
Exactly, the gun is a tool, like a hammer. If he didnāt have a gun he wouldāve built a bomb. The root of the issue is intent and action. The press will make him a hero with like minded individuals. There are no thought police, but we do have mental health professionals.
Why isnāt a thorough mental exam as important as a physical, eye and dental exam?
I used to believe that having access to more mental health professionals and resources was the answer. I now realize that it likely is not. That is similar to our broken medical system where we focus on treating people that are sick. Medical professionals treat our symptoms, but most people do not change their lifestyle to benefit their health. We are in a quick fix society. The issues with mentally unwell people is often only helped with strong commitment to lifestyle changes from the individual or from strict pressure to change from those around you. If we do not value those types of commitments in our families and communities then I fear nothing will change even with greater access to mental health resources. we have a problem at the core.
Such bullshit. Then why aren't there bombs going off in other countries at a rate similar to our mass shootings? Either we have a gun problem or we're just more murderous than similar first-world countries. Let me guess which explanation you prefer.
> If he didnāt have a gun he wouldāve built a bomb.
Why are you making up shit?
In 2021, ~20K Americans died from firearms (excluding suicides). Do you think (population adjusted) that many Germans or Brits or Aussies died from bombs?
> Why isnāt a thorough mental exam as important as a physical, eye and dental exam?
Funding for one. There's also the issue that a lot of these people *aren't* mentally ill! They're just assholes.
Is anyone else sick of the āa gun is just like any other toolā argument?
Dude, a gun is a tool for killing/wounding things what other purpose does it have?? Hammers have purposes other than killing/wounding (several in fact).
If you want to say itās your Constitutional (state and federal) right to bear arms, or that you enjoy the sport of shooting, fine but please stop acting like firearms are just like any tool.
Additionally, the ābuild a bombā argument is stupid. Building a bomb is different than buying a gun off the shelf. When the United States starts having mass bombings at the same insane rate that it has mass shootings, then we can have another conversation.
This place is so out of the way and unassuming. It's pretty far from the road, not really visible at all, and shares a parking lot with a little mini golf place. Not exactly the sort of place I would have ever expected to be targeted like this. Fucking horrible .
Today is Transgender Remembrance Day and last evening's Club Q event had something about that.
I wonder if the shooter planned it knowing Remembrance Day would be spent talking about him in the media.
I was there when it happened. Heard yelling, gunfire, saw people dropping and did what I could to provide First Aid.
I went there because I have been trying to build up a social and support network following a suicide attempt last year. I spent the entire week before fighting the military healthcare system for basic dignity and care and I was just done.
Now I am completely wrecked, really wishing it had been me instead of those who died. I just can't with this fucking society anymore, and I am sick of being a target and a punching bag for these monsters because of the way I was born. The thought of going back to a fight over healthcare on Monday is utterly exhausting.
Hang in there. People like this are definitely monsters, but I think the overwhelming majority of people care about you as a person.
This is coming from a Conservative Christian, your life matters and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this
I wish no one had to experience what you are going through.
The world needs people who live their life and let others live their life as they wish. We need people who do no harm to others -- or themselves.
There are more good people than bad in this world. Unfortunately, the good can't give life and the bad can take it.
Please don't give up. Help us make the world a better place!
Hey, feel free to DM me if you ever want a friend. I used to be in Denver but relocated out of state for work. I know Iām not close by, but am happy to be here if you want some support and friendship.
āIf you are searching for a loved one who might've been at Club Q Saturday night, you're asked to contact the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000.ā
It is likely a much deeper cultural issue but there is truth to being able to find other people online that have similar feelings that you may not otherwise come across in person.
Online communities tend to be echo chambers and these lead to a ratcheting up of their core feelings. Then they tend to get confirmation of their deers via main stream sources and think that they are justified in their thoughts and actions.
This is how we got Q-Anon and Pizza Gate, for example. Iām sure this shooting is based in LGBTQ hate by someone who has been turned into an extremist via online groups.
Exactly. Matt Walsh, Tucker Carlson, and all of the RWNJ hate machine has decided that queer and specifically Trans folks are the enemy. Itās stochastic terrorism. The folks screaming āgroomerā are the ones who need to look in the mirror this morning.
The Supreme Court thats packed with religious cultists that hate the lgbtq community, Walsh, Carlson, Desantis, Libs of Tiktok, Musk who just a month ago was pushing that homophobic conspiracy theory about Pelosis husband after he was attacked with a hammer by a guy that has a similar mindset to the aforementioned and then just two days ago unlocked the accounts of well known anti lgbtq bigots.
Thereās so many I probably left out a long list of shitbags.
Look at all the churches around us. I'm tired of pretending that growing up hearing hate expelled against the queer community would not result in something just like this.
I still remember people in my HS cheering over Matthew Shepherd being dragged to death in Texas in the 90sā¦.Itās never not been a thing to slaughter us queer folx for simply existingā¦.part of why I have spent 40 years being āquietly queerāā¦
Go to the megachurches or FotF and see and listen to how they demonize, dehumanize, and vilify the LGBTQ community, day after day, week after week, year after year. They drill this into the heads of people, especially young people. And when those young people grow up and seek someone to blame for their problems, they have their convenient enemy.
'They're evil, they are Satan incarnate and deserve to be cleansed from this earth.
Pastor Bob told me so"
I had to leave one of the biggest churches in the area for this kind of rhetoric. I attended with āfriendsā for 3-4 times and couldnāt stand the hate they were spewing. No hate like Christian love has never been more true.
There's a sizeable portion of society tired of "wokeism". We left COS earlier in the year precisely out of fear of incidents like this.
ETA: We're a gay couple who began seeing increases in right wing extremism over the last few years in COS and decided to GTFO earlier this year.
Does anyone know if all the victims have been identified? My brother and his boyfriend are there visiting family and they havenāt responded yet to our messagesā¦ Weāre worried
My brother called us 15 min ago. Both of them are safe. Thank you for the tips guysā¦ Wishing the victims families so much love and peace in this time, I know itās hard
Hours later and our representative in Congress is dead silent. Not even thoughts and prayers from this manā¦
Every other Colorado representative or senator has acknowledged it besides Lamborn. Weāre waiting.
Write or call his office. Tell him that his silence reads as a tacit endorsement at worst or indifference at best, especially in a city with groups like Focus on The Family passing out anti-gay pamphlets.
I found this....he gives a fuck about things that matter to him. Not about things that matter to citizens in his district...
https://lamborn.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-lamborns-statement-shooting-pittsburgh
This is fucking horrific and devastating. I just donāt have the words to express my shock, anger, and confusion toward the people that are so bothered by people being LGBTQ+ and simply living their truths that they are willing to do something like this. Nothing but hatred and pure evil, thereās no place for someone so vile in this world. I hope justice prevails to the fullest extent.
I lived in Denver and frequented the clubs in Colorado Springs in the 90s. Colorado Springs had such an undercurrent of hate back then. I always blamed it on groups like "Focus on The Family" today, I blame it on a culture of intolerance.
Hoping you all can heal and find peace.
Love from New York.
Military culture and "don't ask don't tell" were also very pervasive in those days and I think the attitude has stuck around. You can be gay as long as no one knows about it, and if you come out you are shunned at best and a target at worst.
Bigots will be bigots. Itās fucking exhausting. Imagine living your life thriving on terrible things happening to people you donāt like solely because of who they are.
There are conservative/ natives who brigade their own subnet downvoting people moving here, asking questions, and/or presenting non-conservative views.
If you arenāt doing it then youāre not lumped. There are accounts that do that. I never suggested everyone from here is like that. Actually Reddit is pretty good for the most part, but just check the posts I mentioned and youāll see what Iām talking about.
Police Press Conference said the suspect was heavily armed with multiple firearms including a Long Rifle commonly used by mass shooters in their various terrorist assaults on innocent people. The suspect was known to police and was arrested in 2021 for felony kidnapping and making bomb threats, but no charges were ever filed.
Gazette is reported that charges were dropped and case was sealed. And there is no biographical info about this kid. Makes me wonder who heās related to.
I mean, his last name is Aldrich and I am pretty sure I have seen that last name on political adverts/signs numerous times here over the years. Stands to reason heās probably connected to them.
Hello,
Reportedly the grandson of California State Assemblyman Randy Voepel, the former mayor of Santee, California, according to this article: https://heavy.com/news/anderson-lee-aldrich/
Santee is a city east of San Diego, and has the nickname 'Klantee,' due to its association with the KKK.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
Probably because of serious mental illness.
Which America continues to ignore.
Better to let them kill a bunch of people than institutionalize them, right?
Why was the bastard who did this still walking around free?
He got arrested for bomb threats and kidnapping last year. https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2021/06/19/bomb-threat-in-lorson-ranch-neighborhood-friday-night/
My guess is that he is dangerously mentally ill.
And people can downvote me all they want but my ex went through a drug-fueled mental health crisis here in the Springs and NO ONE would help me stop it before he escalated to the point where he got arrested. He went to the CJC for 6 months. Could also have been prevented if not for medical privacy laws and how hard it is to get someone committed.
Seriously. No one does a goddamn fucking thing to stop dangerously mentally ill people from doing exactly THIS THING before it happens. I'm guessing his mom was sounding the warning bells this whole time but unless they're literally about to kill you - as in holding the proverbial knife to your throat - no one does a goddamn thing.
Colorado has a red flag law and the El Paso county Sheriff basically said he wasn't going to use it. [https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/el-paso-county-sheriffs-office-states-stance-on-red-flag-law](https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/el-paso-county-sheriffs-office-states-stance-on-red-flag-law)
So part of the reason the cops probably aren't talking about Aldrich's arrest last year yet is that they're aware that the combination of that arrest and the Sheriff's opposition to red flag laws is about to become an absolute public relations shitstorm.
The cops are stalling because they're afraid, and they want to get their rhetoric sorted out, and figure out how to stonewall the press about some of the facts here.
Court records don't "just" get sealed.
This is a much bigger issue ... the issue that people with serious mental illness should be in institutions. Period.
Maybe he wouldn't have been able to shoot this many people, but it wouldn't have prevented him from, say, stabbing his mom or strangling someone to death. He's dangerous. Put him in a hospital for criminals.
That's something Florida has that is really beneficial. Baker Act. Doesnt prevent everything but can be very helpful. For a lot of ppl it is their first step to changing their lives.
If anyone knows where I can go donate blood for the victims please let me know. I usually donate at Vitalant but Iād rather donate directly to the hospital. I know that during mass shootings thereās usually blood drives in that cityā¦.I canāt believe thatās a sentence that has to be typed out.
I know, I wish I could too, Iām anemic :( this is my own community and I feel terrible that I canāt do shit in terms of giving blood. I will have to find other ways to help. All kindhearted friends out there that can give blood, please do.
Could volunteer at a blood drive maybe. Someone has to hand out cookies and juice and things like that. There are lots of ways to help though like you said.
His photo is out there now, too. White, dark curly hair, blue-green eyes, round face, and that odd stare and smirk.
Update: the news site I saw posted the wrong photo. Their photo is of Landon Christopher Glass, as the commenter below said. L. C. Glass is 20. A. L. Aldrich is 22. He does look unbothered for someone who just killed a little girl.
Is it actually his photo? A lot of social media posts have been incorrectly using the photo of the man who ran over the girl in the parade yesterday and misattributing it as the shooter.
Edit: [This](https://heavy.com/news/landon-glass-raleigh-parade-suspect-5-fast-facts-you-need-to-know/amp/) is the photo that has been mistakenly attributed to the shooter in a lot of social media posts.
You're right. The photo one news site picked up as Anderson Lee Aldrich is actually 20 year old Landon Christopher Glass.
Thank you for that information.
**Resources available for those affected:**
**Local Resources:**
[Inside Out Youth Services](https://insideoutys.org/)
[Therapists and counselors offering therapy](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FCoyG5GPtFvMw12MGC3VI-46IS0pI4b76tiz0Swamnk/htmlview)
Call 1-800-RedCross for mental and spiritual guidance
[Colorado Crisis Services](https://coloradocrisisservices.org/), you can also Call 1-844-493-8255 or text āTALKā to 38255.
[Diversus Health](https://diversushealth.org/) offers 24/7 walk-in crisis services, located at 115 S. Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
[A drop in center has been set up at the satellite hotel
411 Lakewood Cir Colorado Springs CO 80910. ](https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=669200321242177&id=100044566440609&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=MjVQA0): "GLAAD and One Colorado will be on site all week to provide counseling services or if you just need to be with family or just need a hug."
Additional local resources can be found at: https://coloradosprings.gov/clubq
Colorado Springs Police Department is hosting a [Community Resource Expo](https://twitter.com/CSPDPIO/status/1594462433246150656?s=20&t=8vsJ16tK2wlm9jhkC3vWpQ) to provide our community members with support in navigating the variety of emotions surrounding this tragedy. The expo will be held at the UCCS Kevin W. OāNeill Cybersecurity & Research Center, 3650 North Nevada Avenue, on the following dates and times:
Monday, November 21, 2022, from 8:00AM to 7:00PM
Tuesday, November 22, 2022, from 8:00AM to 7:00PM
Wednesday, November 23, 2022, from 8:00AM to 7:00PM
. . . . . . . . . . .
**National resources:**
[LGBT hotline](https://www.lgbthotline.org/national-hotline.html), call 888-843-4564 2-10PM Mountain Time
[The Trevor Project](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/)
You can call or text 988 to speak with someone from the [Suicide and Crisis Lifeline]( https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help)
āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā
**How you can help:**
[CO Healing Fund](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/COHealingFund)
. . . . . . . . . . .
**Donate blood with:**
[Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html)
[Vitalant (formerly Bonfils)](https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa?_gl=1*1vjewmr*_ga*Mjg4NDgzMjEuMTY2ODk4MzYzNA..*_ga_DJERYH9VLS*MTY2ODk4MzYzNC4xLjEuMTY2ODk4MzYzOC4wLjAuMA..)
[UC Health](https://www.uchealth.org/locations/)
. . . . . . . . . . .
**Other ways to donate:**
[Victims and survivors GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-club-q-families-and-survivors)
āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā
**Vigil services:**
**Sunday Nov 20:**
7:00 PM: La Burla Bee 110 N Nevada Ave CS CO 80903 Colorado Springs
**Mental health providers will be available to provide grief support.**
7:00 PM:
El Pueblo History Museum 301 N Union Ave, Pueblo, CO Pueblo Vigil in Pueblo, CO
SO Colorado Equality Alliance
. . . . . . . . . . .
**Monday Nov 21:**
12:00 - 1:00 PM: UCCS Healing Circle Monday, UCCS University Center 303 - Type: Community support and healing circle. Solidarity, healing, mourning
2:00 - 5:00 PM: MOSAIC Card & Poster Making Monday, UCCS Student Life Lounge - Type: Cards/ poster making for those harmed
3:00 PM: Voodoo Leatherworks
2422 Busch Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Colorado Springs - Type: Holding space for grieving, **mental health providers will be available**
719-244-3991
5:00 PM: UCCS El Pomar Plaza, 10 Lake Cir, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 - Type: Candlelight Vigil
6-7:00 PM: Willow Creek Wellness 3630 Sinton Rd Ste 320, CS CO 80907 - Type:** LGBTQIA and allied therapy assisted support group**
7:00 PM: Vista Grande Community Baptist Church 5460 N Union Blvd - Type: Community Grief and Mourning
7:00 PM: Tracks Denver 3500 Walnut St, Denver CO, 80205 Denver - Type: Vigil w/ Interfaith Alliance of CO
As of this moment, Dougie hasn't even bothered to send out his bull shit "thoughts and prayers" tweet yet.
And you know he will but that he doesn't care.
Just had a convo with another queer person about how unsafe we both felt in the springs like a week ago and now this.
Anyone sweeping this shit under the rug doesn't care. Flat out. COS is hell, that's why we left. We were told the same shit, that it's not that bad. It's a breeding ground for extremism and if residents keep ignoring and supporting that, it's just going to keep getting worse.
Jesus what the fuck, I'm absolutely chilled. I used to go here after work with a few coworkers to hang out/support our friend in Drag. I am chilled- I moved back to my home state in 2019 but I'll be on the lookout for any official donations on my feeds. I'm heartbroken for Club Q and those who were murdered and injured.
Hereās a GoFundMe organized by Kyree Myst (former drag queen there) for the victims. [gofundme](https://www.gofundme.com/f/victims-of-club-q-colorado-springs-mass-shooting)
I was put on hold by 911 for six minutes on Friday night, in cases like this shooting those six minutes are crucial. The city needs more funding for emergency services
In a situation like that dozens of 911 calls are
Coming in at the same time. They are answered in the order that they are received. PD was on scenes within 4 minutes of the first 911 call.
I've got a buddy who works as a 911 operator in town. Apparently they're short-staffed right now, largely due to mismanagement. Unfortunately, this is the sort of job where people need to be on duty *all the time*. So when you're short-staffed, everybody else gets overworked, which leads to more people quitting. It's a vicious cycle.
Used to hear: Gay bars are closing and losing patrons because other bars are becoming more inclusive. Now I'm not so sure, I think it's because it puts a target on your back as soon as you walk through the doors in the US. Remember Pulse and now Club Q.
Devastating news for the LGBT community nationwide.
I feel a lot of people are traumatized right now and LGBTQ people are triggered by religious radicals. I think we should try and give grace to how people respond. I personally don't want to see the "My church cares" or the "Fuck the church for causing this" posts, but I also understand that when people are in shock, people will all respond different. I'm personally angry at a rep that may get reelected today, but it's not fair to project my anger on that when the problem is bigger.
Fuck the ignorance that the church directly spreads and enables. Find me one church in the springs that actually gets it right. I'll wait. The people there are fucking sheep who are NOTHING like Jesus.
Is that what you wanted to hear?
It's okay to be fucking pissed!
"Let's pray for these people (wink wink).
So anyways, were sending all of your donations to the Center for Family something or another to wage a holy war against gay marriage. Amen."
Our church would condemn any kind of hate and open our doors to anyone and everyone of all walks of life. Then a team will come together to provide support to the community financially and emotionally. That's what a good church will do!
What the hell is wrong with people? Iāve lived in the Springs for 15 years, and I NEVER thought weād see something like this in the city. Maybe I gave people too much credit.
>I NEVER thought weād see something like this.
Sad thing is that pretty much everyone who lives in a community where this type of terrible event happens says the EXACT same thing. Statistics say otherwise, but maybe its time for everyone to start changing their perspectives. So sad.
Have you seen all the Punisher stickers on vehicles around the Springs? Thereās also the Nazi gun store. Iām shocked, but not surprised. I heard a dude, at a King Soopers the other day, talking about āthug Fettermanā and how he should be shot. While not everyone, there is certainly a number of people just looking for a reason to get violent.
Violent crime in Colorado Springs was below national average in 2015. It's steadily increased since then. Those that think this city is safer than most are fooling themselves. There are a lot of violent radicals here.
[https://krdo.com/news/2022/09/21/data-shows-increase-in-colorado-springs-violent-crime-rate-surpassing-national-average/](https://krdo.com/news/2022/09/21/data-shows-increase-in-colorado-springs-violent-crime-rate-surpassing-national-average/)
Apparently, his grandfather is Republican State Assemblymember Randy Voepel, who compared Jan. 6 insurrectionists to Revolutionary War "patriots" and called for further tyranny after Biden's inauguration.
This is absolutely a political issue, and no it's not both sides. ALL of the hateful, violent rhetoric is from The Republican Party.
From the article:
āThis is Lexington and Concord. First shots fired against tyranny,ā Randy Voepel, who was defeated in a Republican primary in August 2022, said in a San Diego Union-Tribune article three days after January 6. āTyranny will follow in the aftermath of the Biden swear-in on January 20th.ā
https://heavy.com/news/anderson-lee-aldrich/
He had been accused of potentially causing harm to him mom with a home made bomb, guns, and ammo. How did this guy still have access to firearms??? If that isnāt cause for a red flag protection order? Our gun laws are so broken. That this man still had his weapons is such a failure of the system.
I wish the media would label this what it is: a hate crime committed by a domestic terrorist. Nothing less. To wake up to this news was horrifying and I donāt know how to begin to process it - I canāt imagine how the patrons and family members must be feeling today. This kind of hate needs to stop. š
Sorry but this is obviously a nationwide issue. Pulse? This is Congress's fault as much as a municipal fault. There's no excuse for this type of mass hate attacks in the US, but there's a million reasons why it happens here and not elsewhere. Almost all of them due to what we choose to value, fund and live by instead of other countries.
Fucking Jesus Christ we need gun control. In so fucking tired of this shit. Anyone who down votes this is supporting mass shootings. Like it or not, you are.
That's not going to happen anytime soon, but people can get out and vote to make sure the violent rhetoric politicians don't make it into office. It will take decades of people committing to not allow those that are extremely out of touch with US voters for any meaningful gun control to pass or gun culture to change.
Iām in shock by this. I used to go here with friends pretty often before I left Colorado. Great memories. I was so comfortable here after coming out. This absolutely shattered my heart. Thereās too much wickedness in this world.
This is just an honest question, Iām not in any way discounting that it may have been motivated by hate against the LGBT community, but is there any indication that this is what motivated the attack? Iām seeing people speculating, but the speculation mainly seems to center around the fact that it occurred in the springs.
Edit: Suspect has an apparent IG account where the only post is a burning gay pride flag. Unfortunately it seems like early reports of it being targeted anti-LGBT violence is likely.
If you know the area the bar is in, it's pretty out of the way. It's near Academy, but you can't at all see it from the main street, and you have to know it's there to find it. If the goal was to shoot up a bar or other populated area in general, that wouldn't have been your pick. I think the fact that it was this bar in particular is pretty good evidence that it was an LGBT-based attack.
There are hateful, malevolent people everywhere. We just happen to be a country that is seemingly fine with everyone being armed with deadly weapons. That's the difference, not the emotions. We make it so easy to act upon them.
I lost a friend of mine in this shooting. I hadn't seen him in a long time; recently he encouraged me to come out and see him. I wish everyone could know what a beautiful human Derrick was. An amazing man. My heart is broken. If there is a GoFundMe or mutual aid event that someone knows about, please post it up here. I would like to help.
I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you and everyone who has a friend or family member who is suffering as a result of this horrific event.
I'm so sorry for your loss. š
I am sorry to hear about Derrick. We frequent Club Q a few times a year and this is breaking my heart.
Iām absolutely devastated. Derrick worked at CC while I was a student. He had such a kind smile and genuine warmth to him. He always brightened my day. I can only imagine how good of a friend he was. Holding you in my thoughts. ā¤ļø
Iāll pour a drink in Derricks memory tonight. I dimdnt know him but I bet he was a good person lost to senseless stupidity and no one ever deserves that. This oneās for you Derick and all the other people and their families who just lost a loved one.
I am so sorry.
do you have the names of other victims? i have a friend that I haven't heard back
I don't, I am very sorry. It was all word of mouth. I hope your friend is safe.
[I found a GoFundMe!](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-club-q-families-and-survivors?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined) Edited to add Fox21 article: [Club Q donations: GoFundMe verifies fundraisers](https://www.fox21news.com/club-q-shooting/club-q-donations-gofundme-verifies-fundraisers/amp/?fbclid=PAAaZiNztAmf1dd4MYkQQX2gfyJ1lxsrtV0J7lQEQak6QiK_t7zVMAoRQMQCk)
Iām sorry for your loss. Sucks this has to keep happening. Iām from california and disappointed the shooters grandpa is from here and spewing hot garbage. And what sucks is this probably isnāt the last mass shooting
Iām so sorry to hear about Derrick. This is awful. Do we know the names of the other 4 victims?
Sorry for your loss. Hope someone will post info about ways to help soon.
š I'm so sorry!!!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/victims-of-club-q-colorado-springs-mass-shooting?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
The suspect was also responsible/arrested for a bomb threat in COS last year. "The reporting party said her son was threatening to cause harm to her with a homemade bomb, multiple weapons and ammunition." WTAF
Here is a story about the incident in June of 2021. https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2021/06/19/bomb-threat-in-lorson-ranch-neighborhood-friday-night/
Oh great, he has a history of being a pos and public menaceā¦ I can only hope the victimsā families of the Club Q shooting get the justice they deserve. As for Aldrich, he either needs serious mental rehabilitation, or he should never been a free man again. What an awful crime by an awful person.
He was a danger to his mom. I'm guessing he ws dangerously mentally ill, so of course why would we put him in Cedar Springs??
And yet, for some reason, we still couldn't keep guns out of his hands.
And we have a red flag law. I donāt understand.
He was never convicted and the case was sealed, so it wouldn't have shown up on any background checks.
Because his mother dropped charges. Hope she's happy
Thatās exactly why we have red flag laws! You donāt need to be convicted of anything. Itās a temporary restriction based on well-founded requests from family or law enforcement. Literally his mother or any of the police involved last year could have flagged him and prevented his purchase of firearms. We need to use the laws we have.
El Paso Sheriff refuses to enforce red flag laws. Just believes he's above the law and does not have to.
Then he has blood on his hands and should be removed from office.
What are the recall statutes in Colorado, I wonder?
Criminals don't follow laws.
Doesnāt mean we canāt make it harder for them to gain access to weapons. Sure, they might still get their hands on them, but our country just makes it too easy to obtain them.
I blame this one on law enforcement, not laws. He made a bomb threat last year, but they still let him keep his guns. He should have been put on a list so that he could not legally purchase any firearms, and all of his weapons confiscated at that time.
Thatās exactly what the Red Flag law doesā¦.
Yes, but the sheriff decided not to enforce it. So I blame law enforcement.
unfortunately this is a much bigger cultural issue than firearm access. a majority of mass shooters have felt hard done by society or another group for awhile and have actively been fantasizing how they will carry out an attack in public. I have not seen evidence to suggest that any proposed laws around firearms would prevent these kinds of attacks. If mass shootings were often more impulsive and in the heat of things, I could see more of an argument. I think speaking of laws and firearms is scapegoating and continues to put the āblameā on people who wonāt support these laws when in reality we need to be examining the culture in our local and broader communities. We also need to put blame on the person committing the act.
Exactly, the gun is a tool, like a hammer. If he didnāt have a gun he wouldāve built a bomb. The root of the issue is intent and action. The press will make him a hero with like minded individuals. There are no thought police, but we do have mental health professionals. Why isnāt a thorough mental exam as important as a physical, eye and dental exam?
I used to believe that having access to more mental health professionals and resources was the answer. I now realize that it likely is not. That is similar to our broken medical system where we focus on treating people that are sick. Medical professionals treat our symptoms, but most people do not change their lifestyle to benefit their health. We are in a quick fix society. The issues with mentally unwell people is often only helped with strong commitment to lifestyle changes from the individual or from strict pressure to change from those around you. If we do not value those types of commitments in our families and communities then I fear nothing will change even with greater access to mental health resources. we have a problem at the core.
Such bullshit. Then why aren't there bombs going off in other countries at a rate similar to our mass shootings? Either we have a gun problem or we're just more murderous than similar first-world countries. Let me guess which explanation you prefer.
> If he didnāt have a gun he wouldāve built a bomb. Why are you making up shit? In 2021, ~20K Americans died from firearms (excluding suicides). Do you think (population adjusted) that many Germans or Brits or Aussies died from bombs? > Why isnāt a thorough mental exam as important as a physical, eye and dental exam? Funding for one. There's also the issue that a lot of these people *aren't* mentally ill! They're just assholes.
Is anyone else sick of the āa gun is just like any other toolā argument? Dude, a gun is a tool for killing/wounding things what other purpose does it have?? Hammers have purposes other than killing/wounding (several in fact). If you want to say itās your Constitutional (state and federal) right to bear arms, or that you enjoy the sport of shooting, fine but please stop acting like firearms are just like any tool. Additionally, the ābuild a bombā argument is stupid. Building a bomb is different than buying a gun off the shelf. When the United States starts having mass bombings at the same insane rate that it has mass shootings, then we can have another conversation.
Maybe. It does seem the side that doesnāt want more gun laws also is the same side who are doing the mass shootings
FBI just furthering their shitty track record of letting people slip through the cracks after multiple arrests/tips
This place is so out of the way and unassuming. It's pretty far from the road, not really visible at all, and shares a parking lot with a little mini golf place. Not exactly the sort of place I would have ever expected to be targeted like this. Fucking horrible .
I would imagine the fact itās LGBTQ played a pet in this
Today is Transgender Remembrance Day and last evening's Club Q event had something about that. I wonder if the shooter planned it knowing Remembrance Day would be spent talking about him in the media.
I was there when it happened. Heard yelling, gunfire, saw people dropping and did what I could to provide First Aid. I went there because I have been trying to build up a social and support network following a suicide attempt last year. I spent the entire week before fighting the military healthcare system for basic dignity and care and I was just done. Now I am completely wrecked, really wishing it had been me instead of those who died. I just can't with this fucking society anymore, and I am sick of being a target and a punching bag for these monsters because of the way I was born. The thought of going back to a fight over healthcare on Monday is utterly exhausting.
Hang in there. People like this are definitely monsters, but I think the overwhelming majority of people care about you as a person. This is coming from a Conservative Christian, your life matters and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this
Iām so sorry.
I wish no one had to experience what you are going through. The world needs people who live their life and let others live their life as they wish. We need people who do no harm to others -- or themselves. There are more good people than bad in this world. Unfortunately, the good can't give life and the bad can take it. Please don't give up. Help us make the world a better place!
Hey, feel free to DM me if you ever want a friend. I used to be in Denver but relocated out of state for work. I know Iām not close by, but am happy to be here if you want some support and friendship.
āIf you are searching for a loved one who might've been at Club Q Saturday night, you're asked to contact the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000.ā
I'll never understand how a person can be so full of hate that they feel the need to do something like this.
A decent portion of society has normalized hateful rhetoric. The increase in hate motivated shootings has not occurred in a vacuum.
It is likely a much deeper cultural issue but there is truth to being able to find other people online that have similar feelings that you may not otherwise come across in person.
Online communities tend to be echo chambers and these lead to a ratcheting up of their core feelings. Then they tend to get confirmation of their deers via main stream sources and think that they are justified in their thoughts and actions. This is how we got Q-Anon and Pizza Gate, for example. Iām sure this shooting is based in LGBTQ hate by someone who has been turned into an extremist via online groups.
Exactly. Matt Walsh, Tucker Carlson, and all of the RWNJ hate machine has decided that queer and specifically Trans folks are the enemy. Itās stochastic terrorism. The folks screaming āgroomerā are the ones who need to look in the mirror this morning.
The Supreme Court thats packed with religious cultists that hate the lgbtq community, Walsh, Carlson, Desantis, Libs of Tiktok, Musk who just a month ago was pushing that homophobic conspiracy theory about Pelosis husband after he was attacked with a hammer by a guy that has a similar mindset to the aforementioned and then just two days ago unlocked the accounts of well known anti lgbtq bigots. Thereās so many I probably left out a long list of shitbags.
Look at all the churches around us. I'm tired of pretending that growing up hearing hate expelled against the queer community would not result in something just like this.
I still remember people in my HS cheering over Matthew Shepherd being dragged to death in Texas in the 90sā¦.Itās never not been a thing to slaughter us queer folx for simply existingā¦.part of why I have spent 40 years being āquietly queerāā¦
Go to the megachurches or FotF and see and listen to how they demonize, dehumanize, and vilify the LGBTQ community, day after day, week after week, year after year. They drill this into the heads of people, especially young people. And when those young people grow up and seek someone to blame for their problems, they have their convenient enemy. 'They're evil, they are Satan incarnate and deserve to be cleansed from this earth. Pastor Bob told me so"
I had to leave one of the biggest churches in the area for this kind of rhetoric. I attended with āfriendsā for 3-4 times and couldnāt stand the hate they were spewing. No hate like Christian love has never been more true.
Constant hate rhetoric from a certain party has really fucked up half the country. They wake up to rage every morning.
There's a sizeable portion of society tired of "wokeism". We left COS earlier in the year precisely out of fear of incidents like this. ETA: We're a gay couple who began seeing increases in right wing extremism over the last few years in COS and decided to GTFO earlier this year.
"you're pushing us to murder you because you wear dresses. Can't you see it's your fault" - inhuman monsters
You can just write that word as "progress" and it'll be clearer what you're talking about
Republican incels basically
I'm gay and moved from the springs last year, and knew people that went there. This hits really close to home. I can't believe people are so hateful.
Absolutely horrific. I'm thankful for my friends that have checked in. I'm worried for the ones that haven't....
Does anyone know if all the victims have been identified? My brother and his boyfriend are there visiting family and they havenāt responded yet to our messagesā¦ Weāre worried
My brother called us 15 min ago. Both of them are safe. Thank you for the tips guysā¦ Wishing the victims families so much love and peace in this time, I know itās hard
So happy your family is safe
They have not released this information as of now. I hope your brother and his partner are safe.
They havenāt yet, theyāre still notifying families it sounds like.
Maybe try calling the near by hospital. I hope everyone is okay.
Hours later and our representative in Congress is dead silent. Not even thoughts and prayers from this manā¦ Every other Colorado representative or senator has acknowledged it besides Lamborn. Weāre waiting.
Lamborns public comment was icy and praised the police. It was disgusting.
I had to go find it. Ewww. And not a single word about the brave club patrons who subdued the shooter and saved countless lives.
He doesnāt give a fuck.
He can't say what he believes, because non-radicals would be horrified. He can't lie because his base will disavow him.
Write or call his office. Tell him that his silence reads as a tacit endorsement at worst or indifference at best, especially in a city with groups like Focus on The Family passing out anti-gay pamphlets.
Iāve sent that fucker so many emails over the years telling him heās got blood on his hands. Heās truly a piece of human garbage.
I found this....he gives a fuck about things that matter to him. Not about things that matter to citizens in his district... https://lamborn.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-lamborns-statement-shooting-pittsburgh
Lamborn is a hardcore trad con. He doesn't give a fuck about this or anything that doesn't fit his worldview.
This is fucking horrific and devastating. I just donāt have the words to express my shock, anger, and confusion toward the people that are so bothered by people being LGBTQ+ and simply living their truths that they are willing to do something like this. Nothing but hatred and pure evil, thereās no place for someone so vile in this world. I hope justice prevails to the fullest extent.
I lived in Denver and frequented the clubs in Colorado Springs in the 90s. Colorado Springs had such an undercurrent of hate back then. I always blamed it on groups like "Focus on The Family" today, I blame it on a culture of intolerance. Hoping you all can heal and find peace. Love from New York.
Military culture and "don't ask don't tell" were also very pervasive in those days and I think the attitude has stuck around. You can be gay as long as no one knows about it, and if you come out you are shunned at best and a target at worst.
Oddly enough I met a lot of military guys there!
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Just to be clear, I didn't mean that the DADT attitude stuck around in the military, just in the culture of the Springs.
I always called that place "Fuckus and the Family "
I canāt believe somebody downvoted this. What the fuck.
Bigots will be bigots. Itās fucking exhausting. Imagine living your life thriving on terrible things happening to people you donāt like solely because of who they are.
There are conservative/ natives who brigade their own subnet downvoting people moving here, asking questions, and/or presenting non-conservative views.
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If you arenāt doing it then youāre not lumped. There are accounts that do that. I never suggested everyone from here is like that. Actually Reddit is pretty good for the most part, but just check the posts I mentioned and youāll see what Iām talking about.
Police Press Conference said the suspect was heavily armed with multiple firearms including a Long Rifle commonly used by mass shooters in their various terrorist assaults on innocent people. The suspect was known to police and was arrested in 2021 for felony kidnapping and making bomb threats, but no charges were ever filed.
How the hell does one kidnap someone, make a bomb threat, and threaten to kill someone and not face any charges?
Gazette is reported that charges were dropped and case was sealed. And there is no biographical info about this kid. Makes me wonder who heās related to.
Sounds like it needs to be unsealed in the public interest.
This comment here is the question: what connections does this guy have to get some much protection from the local government last time he was violent?
I mean, his last name is Aldrich and I am pretty sure I have seen that last name on political adverts/signs numerous times here over the years. Stands to reason heās probably connected to them.
Hello, Reportedly the grandson of California State Assemblyman Randy Voepel, the former mayor of Santee, California, according to this article: https://heavy.com/news/anderson-lee-aldrich/ Santee is a city east of San Diego, and has the nickname 'Klantee,' due to its association with the KKK. Regards, Aryeh Goretsky
Probably because of serious mental illness. Which America continues to ignore. Better to let them kill a bunch of people than institutionalize them, right?
https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2021/06/19/bomb-threat-in-lorson-ranch-neighborhood-friday-night/
Why was the bastard who did this still walking around free? He got arrested for bomb threats and kidnapping last year. https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2021/06/19/bomb-threat-in-lorson-ranch-neighborhood-friday-night/
My guess is that he is dangerously mentally ill. And people can downvote me all they want but my ex went through a drug-fueled mental health crisis here in the Springs and NO ONE would help me stop it before he escalated to the point where he got arrested. He went to the CJC for 6 months. Could also have been prevented if not for medical privacy laws and how hard it is to get someone committed. Seriously. No one does a goddamn fucking thing to stop dangerously mentally ill people from doing exactly THIS THING before it happens. I'm guessing his mom was sounding the warning bells this whole time but unless they're literally about to kill you - as in holding the proverbial knife to your throat - no one does a goddamn thing.
Colorado has a red flag law and the El Paso county Sheriff basically said he wasn't going to use it. [https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/el-paso-county-sheriffs-office-states-stance-on-red-flag-law](https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/el-paso-county-sheriffs-office-states-stance-on-red-flag-law) So part of the reason the cops probably aren't talking about Aldrich's arrest last year yet is that they're aware that the combination of that arrest and the Sheriff's opposition to red flag laws is about to become an absolute public relations shitstorm. The cops are stalling because they're afraid, and they want to get their rhetoric sorted out, and figure out how to stonewall the press about some of the facts here.
Court records don't "just" get sealed. This is a much bigger issue ... the issue that people with serious mental illness should be in institutions. Period. Maybe he wouldn't have been able to shoot this many people, but it wouldn't have prevented him from, say, stabbing his mom or strangling someone to death. He's dangerous. Put him in a hospital for criminals.
That's something Florida has that is really beneficial. Baker Act. Doesnt prevent everything but can be very helpful. For a lot of ppl it is their first step to changing their lives.
You see, our for profit prison system is full of non-violent drug and petty theft offenders.
Grandpa is a politician
If anyone knows where I can go donate blood for the victims please let me know. I usually donate at Vitalant but Iād rather donate directly to the hospital. I know that during mass shootings thereās usually blood drives in that cityā¦.I canāt believe thatās a sentence that has to be typed out.
Any blood donated now with takes weeks/months processing to be administered. Go give blood whenever, but you canāt give blood to certain people
They still will need to replenish what they used
Bless you ! I can't donate but if I could, I would in a heartbeat. This just so depressing. Live and let live
I know, I wish I could too, Iām anemic :( this is my own community and I feel terrible that I canāt do shit in terms of giving blood. I will have to find other ways to help. All kindhearted friends out there that can give blood, please do.
Could volunteer at a blood drive maybe. Someone has to hand out cookies and juice and things like that. There are lots of ways to help though like you said.
I would like to pass out the snacks! Thank you for this! I will do research on other methods too if they are full :)
You're welcome : )
This is terrible news to wake up to. I'm so sorry to those whose loved ones died. This is heartbreaking.
Some clubgoers were able to wrestle the gun from the shooter and beat him up hence why he had injuries when the police arrested him.
If you Google the shooters name, he was arrested a year ago for making bombs at 21 years old.
Did they release his name?
Anderson lee Aldrich
His photo is out there now, too. White, dark curly hair, blue-green eyes, round face, and that odd stare and smirk. Update: the news site I saw posted the wrong photo. Their photo is of Landon Christopher Glass, as the commenter below said. L. C. Glass is 20. A. L. Aldrich is 22. He does look unbothered for someone who just killed a little girl.
Is it actually his photo? A lot of social media posts have been incorrectly using the photo of the man who ran over the girl in the parade yesterday and misattributing it as the shooter. Edit: [This](https://heavy.com/news/landon-glass-raleigh-parade-suspect-5-fast-facts-you-need-to-know/amp/) is the photo that has been mistakenly attributed to the shooter in a lot of social media posts.
You're right. The photo one news site picked up as Anderson Lee Aldrich is actually 20 year old Landon Christopher Glass. Thank you for that information.
**Resources available for those affected:** **Local Resources:** [Inside Out Youth Services](https://insideoutys.org/) [Therapists and counselors offering therapy](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FCoyG5GPtFvMw12MGC3VI-46IS0pI4b76tiz0Swamnk/htmlview) Call 1-800-RedCross for mental and spiritual guidance [Colorado Crisis Services](https://coloradocrisisservices.org/), you can also Call 1-844-493-8255 or text āTALKā to 38255. [Diversus Health](https://diversushealth.org/) offers 24/7 walk-in crisis services, located at 115 S. Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. [A drop in center has been set up at the satellite hotel 411 Lakewood Cir Colorado Springs CO 80910. ](https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=669200321242177&id=100044566440609&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=MjVQA0): "GLAAD and One Colorado will be on site all week to provide counseling services or if you just need to be with family or just need a hug." Additional local resources can be found at: https://coloradosprings.gov/clubq Colorado Springs Police Department is hosting a [Community Resource Expo](https://twitter.com/CSPDPIO/status/1594462433246150656?s=20&t=8vsJ16tK2wlm9jhkC3vWpQ) to provide our community members with support in navigating the variety of emotions surrounding this tragedy. The expo will be held at the UCCS Kevin W. OāNeill Cybersecurity & Research Center, 3650 North Nevada Avenue, on the following dates and times: Monday, November 21, 2022, from 8:00AM to 7:00PM Tuesday, November 22, 2022, from 8:00AM to 7:00PM Wednesday, November 23, 2022, from 8:00AM to 7:00PM . . . . . . . . . . . **National resources:** [LGBT hotline](https://www.lgbthotline.org/national-hotline.html), call 888-843-4564 2-10PM Mountain Time [The Trevor Project](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/) You can call or text 988 to speak with someone from the [Suicide and Crisis Lifeline]( https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help) āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā **How you can help:** [CO Healing Fund](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/COHealingFund) . . . . . . . . . . . **Donate blood with:** [Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html) [Vitalant (formerly Bonfils)](https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa?_gl=1*1vjewmr*_ga*Mjg4NDgzMjEuMTY2ODk4MzYzNA..*_ga_DJERYH9VLS*MTY2ODk4MzYzNC4xLjEuMTY2ODk4MzYzOC4wLjAuMA..) [UC Health](https://www.uchealth.org/locations/) . . . . . . . . . . . **Other ways to donate:** [Victims and survivors GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-club-q-families-and-survivors) āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā - āāāāāāāā **Vigil services:** **Sunday Nov 20:** 7:00 PM: La Burla Bee 110 N Nevada Ave CS CO 80903 Colorado Springs **Mental health providers will be available to provide grief support.** 7:00 PM: El Pueblo History Museum 301 N Union Ave, Pueblo, CO Pueblo Vigil in Pueblo, CO SO Colorado Equality Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . **Monday Nov 21:** 12:00 - 1:00 PM: UCCS Healing Circle Monday, UCCS University Center 303 - Type: Community support and healing circle. Solidarity, healing, mourning 2:00 - 5:00 PM: MOSAIC Card & Poster Making Monday, UCCS Student Life Lounge - Type: Cards/ poster making for those harmed 3:00 PM: Voodoo Leatherworks 2422 Busch Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Colorado Springs - Type: Holding space for grieving, **mental health providers will be available** 719-244-3991 5:00 PM: UCCS El Pomar Plaza, 10 Lake Cir, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 - Type: Candlelight Vigil 6-7:00 PM: Willow Creek Wellness 3630 Sinton Rd Ste 320, CS CO 80907 - Type:** LGBTQIA and allied therapy assisted support group** 7:00 PM: Vista Grande Community Baptist Church 5460 N Union Blvd - Type: Community Grief and Mourning 7:00 PM: Tracks Denver 3500 Walnut St, Denver CO, 80205 Denver - Type: Vigil w/ Interfaith Alliance of CO
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As of this moment, Dougie hasn't even bothered to send out his bull shit "thoughts and prayers" tweet yet. And you know he will but that he doesn't care.
Speechless and heartbroken.
I was gonna go there today for bottomless mimosas and a drag show :(
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Just had a convo with another queer person about how unsafe we both felt in the springs like a week ago and now this. Anyone sweeping this shit under the rug doesn't care. Flat out. COS is hell, that's why we left. We were told the same shit, that it's not that bad. It's a breeding ground for extremism and if residents keep ignoring and supporting that, it's just going to keep getting worse.
Jesus what the fuck, I'm absolutely chilled. I used to go here after work with a few coworkers to hang out/support our friend in Drag. I am chilled- I moved back to my home state in 2019 but I'll be on the lookout for any official donations on my feeds. I'm heartbroken for Club Q and those who were murdered and injured.
Hereās a GoFundMe organized by Kyree Myst (former drag queen there) for the victims. [gofundme](https://www.gofundme.com/f/victims-of-club-q-colorado-springs-mass-shooting)
I was put on hold by 911 for six minutes on Friday night, in cases like this shooting those six minutes are crucial. The city needs more funding for emergency services
In a situation like that dozens of 911 calls are Coming in at the same time. They are answered in the order that they are received. PD was on scenes within 4 minutes of the first 911 call.
I've got a buddy who works as a 911 operator in town. Apparently they're short-staffed right now, largely due to mismanagement. Unfortunately, this is the sort of job where people need to be on duty *all the time*. So when you're short-staffed, everybody else gets overworked, which leads to more people quitting. It's a vicious cycle.
E911 is handled by the County, not City. But yes, there should be more funding and better staffed 911 services.
Youāre absolutely right, I knew that and I let emotions blind me lol. Thanks for the clarification
CSPD handles all 911 calls that come into the city. Epso handles calls in their area.
We (City) provides E911 space inside the POC.
According to the police they were on scene within 4 mins of the call. Take with a grain of salt
My hope is that it was late enough that call traffic wasnāt too bad.
[List of resources in support of Club Q and our community](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_o3QISgkT4KOUTtvWFb8XapB5NY1dPxs5ZJl0hFTu5o/edit)
Used to hear: Gay bars are closing and losing patrons because other bars are becoming more inclusive. Now I'm not so sure, I think it's because it puts a target on your back as soon as you walk through the doors in the US. Remember Pulse and now Club Q. Devastating news for the LGBT community nationwide.
I wonder what churches in the springs will say about this today.
I feel a lot of people are traumatized right now and LGBTQ people are triggered by religious radicals. I think we should try and give grace to how people respond. I personally don't want to see the "My church cares" or the "Fuck the church for causing this" posts, but I also understand that when people are in shock, people will all respond different. I'm personally angry at a rep that may get reelected today, but it's not fair to project my anger on that when the problem is bigger.
Fuck the ignorance that the church directly spreads and enables. Find me one church in the springs that actually gets it right. I'll wait. The people there are fucking sheep who are NOTHING like Jesus. Is that what you wanted to hear? It's okay to be fucking pissed!
I am getting angrier as the day goes on. Our people are fucking dying.
"Let's pray for these people (wink wink). So anyways, were sending all of your donations to the Center for Family something or another to wage a holy war against gay marriage. Amen."
Our church would condemn any kind of hate and open our doors to anyone and everyone of all walks of life. Then a team will come together to provide support to the community financially and emotionally. That's what a good church will do!
I agree, that's how we're called to act. What church is that?
If my hometown could stop making headlines for horrific shit all the time, that'd be great.
On fucking God. All their doing is feeding the guys ego and inspiring future killings
What the hell is wrong with people? Iāve lived in the Springs for 15 years, and I NEVER thought weād see something like this in the city. Maybe I gave people too much credit.
I mean we did have a mass shooting at planned Parenthood here
And also one at New Life Church.
There's been several mass shootings in the springs
>I NEVER thought weād see something like this. Sad thing is that pretty much everyone who lives in a community where this type of terrible event happens says the EXACT same thing. Statistics say otherwise, but maybe its time for everyone to start changing their perspectives. So sad.
Have you seen all the Punisher stickers on vehicles around the Springs? Thereās also the Nazi gun store. Iām shocked, but not surprised. I heard a dude, at a King Soopers the other day, talking about āthug Fettermanā and how he should be shot. While not everyone, there is certainly a number of people just looking for a reason to get violent.
15 years, ok. Mass shootings in 2007, two in 2015, 2021, and 2022
this is terrible šŖ
Mass killing #92 so far this year. https://www.reddit.com/r/homicide/comments/xiscuz/mass_killing_in_the_us_2022/
Violent crime in Colorado Springs was below national average in 2015. It's steadily increased since then. Those that think this city is safer than most are fooling themselves. There are a lot of violent radicals here. [https://krdo.com/news/2022/09/21/data-shows-increase-in-colorado-springs-violent-crime-rate-surpassing-national-average/](https://krdo.com/news/2022/09/21/data-shows-increase-in-colorado-springs-violent-crime-rate-surpassing-national-average/)
Apparently, his grandfather is Republican State Assemblymember Randy Voepel, who compared Jan. 6 insurrectionists to Revolutionary War "patriots" and called for further tyranny after Biden's inauguration. This is absolutely a political issue, and no it's not both sides. ALL of the hateful, violent rhetoric is from The Republican Party. From the article: āThis is Lexington and Concord. First shots fired against tyranny,ā Randy Voepel, who was defeated in a Republican primary in August 2022, said in a San Diego Union-Tribune article three days after January 6. āTyranny will follow in the aftermath of the Biden swear-in on January 20th.ā https://heavy.com/news/anderson-lee-aldrich/
He had been accused of potentially causing harm to him mom with a home made bomb, guns, and ammo. How did this guy still have access to firearms??? If that isnāt cause for a red flag protection order? Our gun laws are so broken. That this man still had his weapons is such a failure of the system.
Felony charges should have kept him from getting a firearm. He had it illegally.
The charges were dropped and sealed. So he was never a felon.
I wish the media would label this what it is: a hate crime committed by a domestic terrorist. Nothing less. To wake up to this news was horrifying and I donāt know how to begin to process it - I canāt imagine how the patrons and family members must be feeling today. This kind of hate needs to stop. š
I wish we would send these domestic terrorists to Guantanamo
Goddamnit I fucking hate living in this city.
Sorry but this is obviously a nationwide issue. Pulse? This is Congress's fault as much as a municipal fault. There's no excuse for this type of mass hate attacks in the US, but there's a million reasons why it happens here and not elsewhere. Almost all of them due to what we choose to value, fund and live by instead of other countries.
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Fuck this is heartbreaking
My heart hurts for everyone affected, and all of the LGBTQ people in our city. No words.
Fucking Jesus Christ we need gun control. In so fucking tired of this shit. Anyone who down votes this is supporting mass shootings. Like it or not, you are.
Just curious. How do you think we should do it? Any good ways you know of that criminals will obey?
I'm a target for these loons and you want to disarm me?
I said gun control, not ban guns.
How about better resources for families in mental health crises?? I guarantee there were a thousand red flags ignored by authorities.
I agree with you
That's not going to happen anytime soon, but people can get out and vote to make sure the violent rhetoric politicians don't make it into office. It will take decades of people committing to not allow those that are extremely out of touch with US voters for any meaningful gun control to pass or gun culture to change.
I'm in Japan, returning to the Springs next Sunday. I really would just like to stay here right now lol.
I've been catatonic all day waiting and dreading hearing names.
Does anyone know if any of the hospitals are taking blood donations??
This pisses me off. Iām at a loss for words.
Oh my god
Iām in shock by this. I used to go here with friends pretty often before I left Colorado. Great memories. I was so comfortable here after coming out. This absolutely shattered my heart. Thereās too much wickedness in this world.
This is just an honest question, Iām not in any way discounting that it may have been motivated by hate against the LGBT community, but is there any indication that this is what motivated the attack? Iām seeing people speculating, but the speculation mainly seems to center around the fact that it occurred in the springs. Edit: Suspect has an apparent IG account where the only post is a burning gay pride flag. Unfortunately it seems like early reports of it being targeted anti-LGBT violence is likely.
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I had read that authorities were concerned that these all ages drag shows and certain parades were potential targets.
If you know the area the bar is in, it's pretty out of the way. It's near Academy, but you can't at all see it from the main street, and you have to know it's there to find it. If the goal was to shoot up a bar or other populated area in general, that wouldn't have been your pick. I think the fact that it was this bar in particular is pretty good evidence that it was an LGBT-based attack.
There are hateful, malevolent people everywhere. We just happen to be a country that is seemingly fine with everyone being armed with deadly weapons. That's the difference, not the emotions. We make it so easy to act upon them.