Photos: Who Were the 5 Victims of the Club Q Shooting?
| 11/21/22
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Authorities on Monday revealed the five people who were killed when a gunman began shooting at Club Q, a gay club in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The accused shooter is Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22.
"Our officers and detectives will continue to be diligent and thorough in our work to hold the suspect accountable for these horrendous acts," Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers expressed his condolences and offered his support to the LGBTQ+ community.
"Basically whatever any person adversely impacted, whatever their needs are," Suthers said.
District Attorney Michael J. Allen said that despite media reports to the contrary, no charges had been filed against the alleged shooter, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, in the case yet.
"Any case like this, an arrest warrant will be written up that is supported by a probable cause affidavit, and that will be submitted to a judge for approval of the arrest of a suspect. That has occurred here in this case. ... Any charges that are associated with an arrest warrant are only preliminary charges."
On Monday, Club Q said in a statement that the club and its community are still in disbelief over the mass shooting that left two of its employees dead.
"ClubQ is in shock, and in deep mourning, with the family and friends who had loved ones senselessly taken from them. We condemn the horrific violence that shattered an evening of celebration for all in the LGBTQ community of Colorado Springs and our allies. ClubQ offers our greatest gratitude to those who moved immediately to stop the gunman and prevent more loss of life and injury. ClubQ has always provided a space for LGBTQ people and our ally friends to celebrate together," the estlishment said in a statement.
"We will always speak up for and support everyone's right to be themselves and be safe. We demand that those who spread disgusting rhetoric and encourage violence stop this behavior immediately before more people get hurt. We urge with everything in our heart for every person to do what they can to speak up for LGBTQ people and everyone's right to be safe."
Below are the five people lost in the attack.
Related: Club Q Victims, Heroes Identified by Colorado Springs Police
Ashely Paugh was a mother.
In a statement her family said that her daughter Ryleigh "was her whole world," CNN reports.
"She loved her dad, her sister, and her family; Ashley was a loving aunt, with many nieces and nephews who are devastated by her loss," her family said.
Paugh worked for a local nonprofit called Kids Crossing which helps connect foster children to homes -- that included helping LGBTQ+ children find accepting foster placements.
"She would do anything for the kids -- traveling all over southeastern Colorado, from Pueblo and Colorado Springs to Fremont County and the Colorado border, working to raise awareness and encourage individuals and families to become foster parents to children in our community," the statement said.
Twenty-eight-year-old Daniel Aston worked at Club Q as a bar supervisor.
He came out as transgender as a teenager, his mother, Sabrina Aston told The Denver Post.
"He had so much more life to give to us, and to all his friends and to himself," she said. "He always said, 'I'm shy,' but he wasn't. He wrote poetry. He loved to dress up. He got into drama in high school. He's an entertainer. That's what he really loves."
Derrick Rump was a bartender at Club Q.
His sister, Julia Kissling, told local media that Rump had "found a community of people that he loved really much, and he felt that he could shine there -- and he did."
She added, "He made a difference in so many people's lives, and that's where he wanted to be."
Kelly Loving was another patron gunned down in the shooting. She was visiting from Denver. Her sister, Tiffany Loving, was told of her death Sunday by the FBI.
"She was loving, always trying to help the next person out instead of thinking of herself. She just was a caring person," she told the New York Times. "I was really close with her."
Kelly Loving's friend Natalee Skye Bingham said she was devastated.
"She was a tough woman," Bingham said. "She taught me how it was to be a trans woman and live your life day to day."
Bingham said that she had just finished speaking with Loving before the shooting began. She said that Loving was like a trans mother to her.
Raymond Green Vance, 22, died while visiting Club Q with his girlfriend, her parents, and some of her parents' friends, CNN reports.
According to a statement by his family, they had gone to celebrate a birthday. He was with the man, Richard Fierro, who tackled and subdued the suspected gunman.
Vance had started a new job and was excited about getting his first check. At the time of his death, he lived with his mother and brother.
"Unfortunately, he never left the club. Raymond was the victim of a man who unleashed terror on innocent people out with family and friends," Vance's family said. "His own family and friends are completely devastated by the sudden loss of a son, grandson, brother, nephew, and cousin loved by so many."
They added, "Raymond was a kind, selfless young adult with his entire life ahead of him. His closest friend describes him as gifted, one-of-a-kind, and willing to go out of his way to help anyone."