Colorado Springs shooting suspect arrested on suspicion of hate crimes and five counts of first-degree murder

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A suspected gunman who allegedly opened fire in a LGBT+ bar in Colorado Springs has been arrested on suspicion of hate crime and five counts of first-degree murder.

Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, faces a total of 10 charges relating to the attack that left five dead and 25 more wounded at the bar Club Q on Saturday night, court records show.

In addition to the murder charges, Mr Aldrich faces five counts of bias-motivated crimes causing bodily injury, a class-5 felony.

The charges are “arrest-only” meaning Mr Aldrich has not yet been formally charged.

The suspect remains hospitalised and no date has yet been set for his first court appearance,court records show.

The suspect may face additional charges when he appears in court.

Police say Mr Aldrich stormed Club Q just before midnight on Sunday and opened fire with an AR-15-style weapon and a handgun.

He was overpowered by two “heroic” club goers, Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez told reporters during a press conference on Sunday.

Mr Aldrich is reportedly the grandson of California Assemblyman Randy Voepel, a far-right Republican who supported the January 6 riots.

In June 2021, his mother Laura Voepel called authorities after he allegedly threatened her with a homemade bomb and other weapons. It’s unclear if he was prosecuted on those charges.

Ms Voepel appears to be a member of the Mormon church, according to her social media accounts.

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