Club Q in Colorado Springs (screen capture)The shooter accused of killing five people at Club Q in Colorado Springs has pleaded guilty to five counts of first degree murder, ensuring a life sentence in prison.
From ABC News:
Anderson Lee Aldrich, who identifies as nonbinary, has pleaded guilty to five counts of murder in the first degree, 46 counts of attempted murder in the first degree. They pleaded no contest to two bias-motivated crimes.
Aldrich will receive five consecutive life sentences without the possibility for parole on the murder charges, according to Judge Michael McHenry.
Aldrich will also receive 46 consecutive 48-year sentences for the attempted murder counts followed by mandatory periods of parole, according to the judge.
On November 19, 2022, Aldrich entered Club Q nightclub shortly before midnight and opened fire killing Daniel Davis Aston, Kelly Loving, Derrick Rump, Ashley Paugh and Raymond Green Vance. At least 19 people were also injured in the shooting.
Also from NBC News:
Army veteran Richard Fierro, who was at Club Q celebrating a birthday with family and friends, is one of two people who subdued the shooter. On Monday, he called the shooting an act of terrorism.
“This terrorist has shown no remorse for human life. His decision to murder and maim that night is one that is unforgivable,” said Fierro, staring directly at the shooter, who was seated with hands cuffed and folded next to defense lawyers.
“This terrorist is a coward and chose to target the innocent. That night I was forced to act in a way that was inhumane,” Fierro said.
BREAKING: The suspect in a mass shooting at LGBTQ bar Club Q in Colorado pleads guilty to five counts of murder in the first degree in a plea deal. https://t.co/Ej1Kpwbu9r
— ABC News (@ABC) June 26, 2023