Club Q shooter receives multiple life sentences for hate crimes

The person killed in a mass shooting in aLGBTQ+ Bar inColorado was sentenced to several life sentences.

Anderson Lee Aldrich, 24, was sentenced to 55 life sentences and an additional 190 years in prison for the horrific mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. The verdict follows Aldrich’s guilty plea in 74 federal courts.hate crime and weapons offenses in connection with the November 19, 2022 nightclub attack.

A Ministry of JusticePress release revealed that Aldrich admitted to intentionally and maliciously killing five people, injuring 19 others, and attempting to kill 26 more. Aldrich’s killing spree was only stopped by the courageous patrons ofClub Q despite being armed with a privately manufactured assault weapon. The settlement confirms that Aldrich’s actions were motivated by hatred toward the victims’ sexual orientation and gender identity.

Aldrich is currently serving five life sentences with an additional 2,208 years after pleading guilty last year to five counts of first-degree murder and other charges. After his arrest, lawyers said Aldrich identified himself asnonbinaryHowever, prosecutors found thatno prior indication that Aldrich identified as nonbinary before the shooting, suggesting it was a tactic to avoid hate crime charges.

In January,Federal hate crime charges have been filed against Aldrich, who faces the death penalty. On January 16, Aldrich pleaded not guilty to these new charges, which included 50 hate crimes and 24 weapons offenses.

“Driven by hate, the defendant targeted members of the LGBTQIA+ community in a place that represented belonging, safety, and acceptance – tearing five people away from their loved ones, injuring 19 others, and spreading fear across the country,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. “Today’s sentencing makes clear that the Department of Justice is committed to protecting the right of every person in this country to live free from the fear of being a victim of hate-fueled violence or discrimination based on who they are or who they love.”

FBI Director Christopher Wray praised the selflessness of Club Q guests who subdued Aldrich during the attack. “ThesePride Month and every month the FBI stands with the survivors, victims and families of homophobic violence and hate,” Wray said.

ATF Director Steven Dettelbach echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for safety within the LGBTQ+ community, especially during Pride Month. “I hope today’s life sentence brings at least some peace to the victims and survivors of this senseless, horrific tragedy. That this sentence came during Pride Month underscores how far we still have to go before all communities, including all LGBTQIA+ communities, are safe here. It also shows how far ATF and all of our partners will go to ensure hate does not win,” Dettlebach said.

“The defendant’s mass shooting and heinous attack on Club Q are one of the most devastating attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in our country’s history. This verdict cannot recover the lives lost or undo the suffering inflicted. But we hope it offers some small measure of justice to survivors, victims’ families, and their communities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our message today should be loud and clear. No one should have to fear for their life or safety because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute those who carry out hateful, bias-driven attacks.”