Five people were killed and at least 18 wounded in a mass shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBT nightclub Saturday night. And even as the motive was still being established, President Joe Biden restated his call for an “assault weapons” ban.
Police report 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich is being held in the attack at Club Q. The suspect allegedly entered the establishment and began firing with what is described as a “long rifle.”
Biden says 'no motive' clear in Colorado nightclub shooting, calls for assault weapons ban https://t.co/WkQl7pBY6j
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In a statement, the president said that the “public health epidemic of gun violence in all of its forms” must be tackled. Biden lauded the gun control legislation passed earlier this year before saying “we need to enact an assault weapons ban to get weapons of war off American streets.”
Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also chimed in, praising Democrats for taking “important steps to combat gun violence.” She added that the horrific attack “is a reminder that we must keep fighting to do more.”
Police responded to the chaotic scene just before midnight Saturday. When they arrived they found that two club patrons engaged the suspect and were holding him for law enforcement.
Colorado Springs Police Department Lt. Pamela Castro told CNN “initial evidence and interviews indicate that the suspect entered Club Q and immediately began shooting.”
She said that he moved further into the business before being stopped, and confirmed that he was also injured and was treated before being taken into custody.
Police Chief Adrian Vasquez described “at least two heroic people” who “confronted and fought with the suspect.” He credited their action with stopping him from shooting other patrons.
A pair of local hospitals confirmed that several victims are listed in critical condition and being treated in intensive care. Penrose Hospital reported that two were treated and released and three others had “extremity injuries.”
Police say they have not ruled out the possibility of the tragedy being a hate crime.
As for the White House, there was no such wait-and-see attitude. No matter the weapon or weapons and no matter the motive, it was time to immediately politicize the tragic shooting and call for weapons bans.
