The man who opened fire at an LGBTQ bar in 2022 and killed five people has been sentenced to nearly 200 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple hate crime and gun charges.
Kelly Loving, Raymond Green, Ashley Paugh, Daniel Davis Aston and Derrick Rump were killed in a shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Nov. 19, 2022, PEOPLE reported at the time, citing the Colorado Springs Police Department. .
Anderson Lee Aldrich pleaded guilty to 74 hate crimes and firearms charges on Tuesday, June 18, and was sentenced to 55 consecutive life terms and 190 years in prison, according to a press release issued by the Office of Public Affairs US Department of Justice.
According to the Department of Justice, “Aldrich admitted to killing five people, injuring 19 and attempting to kill 26 more in a deliberate, intentional, malicious and premeditated attack at Club Q.”
“Today’s ruling makes clear that the Department of Justice is committed to protecting the right of every person in this country to live without fear of being the target of hate violence or discrimination based on who they are or who they love,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in statement, according to the publication.
Army veteran and endearing performer among heroes who stopped Club Q Gunman: ‘I’m done with war’
United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney sentenced and admonished the shooter, who uses the pronouns they/them, for invading a “safe community space,” according to ABC News.
“This community is a lot stronger than you, stronger than your armor and stronger than your guns and sure as hell stronger than your hate,” Sweeney said, further stressing the importance of their sentencing during Pride month, an annual celebration of a tribute to LGBTQ people. community.
At the time of the sentencing, the attacker was already in prison on state charges to which he pleaded guilty in 2023, ABC News reports. They received five consecutive life sentences in that case, Colorado Public Radio reported.
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Club shooting memorial Q. Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post
The shooter, who was 22 at the time, carried out the massacre ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance, PEOPLE reported at the time, citing authorities.
Ashtin Gamblin, who was working the front door of Club Q on the night of the massacre, spoke at the sentencing. “There was no regard for my life, there should be no regard for theirs,” said Gamblin, who was shot nine times, CBS affiliate KKTV reported.
Some survivors said this was the “last chapter” of the rampage for them. “This should be the end, hopefully, but I guess it will never end for us,” said survivor Ed Sanders, KRDO reports.
Svetlana Heim, a former employee of the club, told the publication that she considers it “the last chapter of the book. It’s over now. Very final.”
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Anderson Aldrich was sentenced to an additional 55 life terms after pleading guilty to 74 hate crime counts.
Colorado Department of Prisons via AP
Colorado Springs survivor recounts terror of LGBTQ club shooting: ‘All I could think about was my pulse’
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“This was one of the most violent hate-fueled mass shootings targeting the LGBTQIA+ community in our nation’s history,” US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said at a news conference following the sentencing.
“Today’s sentencing should send a loud message,” she continued. “We will not tolerate hatred in our country, and perpetrators of prejudice-motivated violence will be held accountable for their actions.”
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Source: HIS Education