Colorado Springs shooting

My heart breaks for the family and friends of those lost, injured, and traumatized in this horrific shooting.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis on a shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs on Saturday night; at least five people were killed and more than 15 were injured.

Who: At least five people were killed and 18 people were injured (17 by gunshot wounds) in a shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 22-year-old suspect is in custody, and was being treated for injuries.

What: Late Saturday night, the gunman entered an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs and began shooting. The shooting lasted about a minute, according to the Colorado Springs police chief. It was stopped by a patron who took a handgun from the shooter and hit him with it, subduing him with the help of another customer until police arrived. On Sunday, Gov. Polis (the first openly gay man to be elected as a governor in the United States) said: “We are eternally grateful for the brave individuals who blocked the gunman likely saving lives in the process and for the first responders who responded swiftly to this horrific shooting.”

Where: The shooting occurred at Club Q, an LGBTQ dance and nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

When: The Associated Press reports: “The shooting came during Transgender Awareness Week and just at the start of Sunday’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, when events around the world are held to mourn and remember transgender people lost to violence.”

Why/How: The motive has not yet been determined and investigations are ongoing.

• Big Picture: As investigations into the shooting continue and formal charges against the suspect are expected, Gov. Polis ordered that flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise on Monday to sunset on Saturday on all public buildings in Colorado: “Flags will be lowered for 5 days to remember each of the 5 individuals who lost their lives in this senseless tragedy. To further honor and remember the victims and those injured in this tragedy, the Polis-Primavera administration will also be flying the Pride flag at the Colorado state capitol for the next five days.”

The names of those killed:

Kelly Loving: She/Her

Daniel Aston: He/Him

Derrick Rump: He/Him

Ashley Paugh: She/Her

Raymond Green Vance: He/Him

The names of two people who subdued the shooter until police arrived:

Richard Fierro

Thomas James

*This is a developing story.*

Governor Jared Polis Releases Statement on Horrific Shooting in Colorado Springs

Patrons in gay club shooting hit gunman with his own weapon (The Associated Press)

Patrons Subdued Gunman Who Killed at Least 5 at Colorado Club (The New York Times)

Army Veteran Went Into ‘Combat Mode’ to Disarm the Club Q Gunman (The New York Times)