How the Colorado shooting unfolded

The gunman who opened fire in a gay nightclub late Saturday night was disarmed in a matter of minutes. But not before he took the lives of five people.

Atlas Pretzeus, left, and her friends hug one another as theytheir respects at a makeshift memorial near Club Q. Picture: Getty Images

 The gunman opened fire in the Colorado nightclub late Saturday night, killing five people and wounding dozens.

At least five people have been shot dead at a gay night club in Colorado.

Twenty-five people were wounded in the shooting at Club Q, at an event honouring the Transgender Day of Remembrance in Colorado Springs -  an annual tribute to murdered transgender people.

“It’s with a heavy heart I have to tell you that we had a shooting at a local club this evening,” Pamela Castro, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Springs police department, said. “The FBI is already on the scene and assisting.”

The police received a call before midnight on Saturday saying an active shooter was firing bullets at the popular club. Medical teams and officers responded immediately, Castro said.

The suspect in the shooting has been identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, according to Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez. A long rifle was used in the shooting, and two firearms were found at the scene.

At least two people inside the club confronted and fought the gunman and prevented further violence. “We owe them a great debt of thanks,” Vasquez said. 

Sophia Diana, left, holds her friends hand, Lex Chapman, during a vigil at All Souls Unitarian Church for the victims of an overnight shooting at Club Q. Picture: Getty Images

President Joe Biden said: “We cannot and must not tolerate hate,” adding: “When will we decide we’ve had enough? We must do more. We need to enact an assault weapons ban to get weapons of war off America’s streets.”

Club Q said it was “devastated by the senseless attack on our community” and thanked “the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack" in a statement written on social media.

Earlier in the day, the club, known as a "safe haven for LGBT" people, said its Saturday night lineup would feature a punk and alternative show at 9 pm followed by a dance party at 11.

A drag brunch and a drag show was scheduled for Sunday on Transgender Day of Remembrance. The club’s website now says it will be closed until further notice.

How the shooting occurred

The violence lasted only minutes.

Numerous calls were made to emergency services from 11.56 pm and officers were dispatched at 11.57 pm. The first officer arrived at midnight and the suspect was detained at 12.02 am, police said. Some 39 patrol officers responded, and Fire Department Captain Mike Smaldino said 11 ambulances went to the scene.

Club attendee Joshua Thurman told KOAA he heard gunshots and saw a muzzle flash while dancing inside the club.

“I thought it was the music, so I kept dancing,” he said. “Then I heard another set of shots, and then me and a customer ran to the dressing room, got on the ground and locked the doors and called the police immediately.”

Thurman said he heard the sounds of more gunshots, people crying and windows being shattered. When he came out, he saw bodies lying on the ground, broken glass and blood, he said.

About 18 people were initially reported to have been injured, but later that total was altered to 25.