Club Q shooting update; questions arise about the red flag law | tidings
Note: This story has been updated with the latest numbers released by CSPD as of late November 28.
Questions remain about a June 2021 bomb threat allegedly made by Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, who is believed to be the same Aldrich accused in the Club Q attack that killed five people and injured 22.
KKTV received the arrest warrants regarding last year’s bomb threat, which provide new details about Aldrich’s possible plans to carry out a mass attack.
KKTV reported that in a 2021 arrest affidavit, Aldrich told family that (Aldrich’s preferred pronouns are they/they) “planned to commit a mass shooting” and expressed a desire to “go out on fire.” Aldrich also threatened their grandparents at gunpoint and said “if they moved, it would interfere with his plans to carry out a mass shooting and bombing,” according to arrest documents, which KKTV did not release.
The June 2021 case records are sealed and not publicly available because 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen dropped the charges. Allen and the police have declined to confirm that the threats were made by the same Aldrich, citing Colorado’s “very restrictive sealing laws” that protect people arrested for crimes who are later fired.
it El Paso County Sheriff’s Office press release from the 2021 arrest describes the bomb threat and names the suspect as Anderson Lee Aldrich, who shares the same birthday as the alleged Club Q shooter.
Questions have been raised about whether police could or should have initiated legal proceedings to seize any weapons Aldrich may have had at the time, under Colorado’s red flag law, which aims to disarm people deemed a danger to themselves or others. .
The state’s red flag law – which deals with Extreme Danger Protection Orders – is explained at this story from Colorado Springs Business Journal, Indyits sister publication, which includes stories on some El Paso County officials’ opposition to the law.
Hill reported On Sunday, Gov. Jared Polis said he would “take a hard look” at why the state’s red flag law did not stop the shooting at Club Q and that an expansion of the legislation may be needed.
The identity of the suspected attacker
Aldrich’s defense attorneys, appointed by the Colorado State Public Defender, said in district court filings last week that Aldrich identifies as nonbinary and uses their/them pronouns. Aldrich will be referred to as “Mx. Aldrich,” the filings said. Aldrich was booked into the El Paso County Jail on Nov. 23 as a male inmate, according to booking records.
Aldrich appeared virtually on Nov. 23 for a video counseling session, the suspect’s first court appearance. Multiple the media reported that Aldrich had visible injuries, had fallen and had slurred speech during the appearance.
Second ‘hero’ in Club Q shooting speaks out
The second man who helped bring down the Club Q shooter has spoken publicly for the first time. He is Thomas James, a petty officer second class in the US Navy. James and US Army Veteran and co-owner of Atrevida Beer Co. Richard Fierro subdued the attacker and saved his life, Colorado Springs officials said.
James is still recovering from his injuries in the attack at Centura Penrose Hospital. He is in stable condition, a Nov. 27 Centura Health statement said. The statement included the following comments from James regarding Club Q and the mass shooting:
“I just wanted to save the family I found,” James said. “If I had my way, I would protect everyone I can from the senseless acts of hate in the world, but I’m only one person.
“Thankfully, we are family and family takes care of each other. We’ve come a long way since Stonewall. Bullies are not invincible.
“I want to support all those who have known the pain and loss that have been so common these past few years. My thoughts are with those we lost on November 19th and those still recovering from their injuries.
“I tell young people to be brave. Your family is there. You are loved and appreciated. So when you come out of the closet, come out swinging.”
The latest from CSPD
The Colorado Springs Police Department sent out a press release correcting the death toll and providing an update on the Club Q crime scene late on November 28.
The detailed death toll is five killed, 17 injured with gunshot wounds and five with another injury, according to CSPD. The announcement also mentions 12 other victims with “no apparent injuries”.
CSPD and the FBI are working to identify all victims – anyone who was at Club Q around midnight on November 19th during the shooting. People who were there — or who know someone who was — are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The CSPD statement also said the investigation into Club Q itself has been completed and the building was returned to the owners on November 25.
CSPD will begin returning personal items people left at Club Q during the shooting. They will have the items on Nov. 29 at the community resource fair at the Kevin O’Neil Cyber Security Education and Resource Center at 3650 N. Nevada Avenue, which runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. People can also call CSPD’s non-emergency number, 719-444-7000, and a detective will be in touch to return the items.
Pride in the City Hall
A 25-foot section of the historic “Sacred Cloth” pride flag was unfurled at City Hall on Nov. 23 to honor the LGBTQ community and the victims of the Club Q shooting.
Hundreds gathered outside City Hall for a ceremony to unveil the flag, which featured remarks from local elected officials. You can find more about the flag and the ceremony in this Business Journal storyAND Indy posted video coverage of the event.