In Colorado, families and survivors of the tragic mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs in 2022 have initiated legal action, asserting that the sheriff’s office could have prevented the violence by properly applying the state’s red flag law. This legal measure was designed to take away firearms from individuals deemed dangerous, and the plaintiffs believe that clear indications of the gunman’s intentions were ignored by law enforcement.
Among those bringing forth the lawsuits are Barrett Hudson, a survivor who still bears three bullets in his body from the attack, alongside other victims and relatives of the deceased. They are set to hold a news conference on Tuesday to discuss the lawsuits, which coincides with the two-year remembrance of the shooting at Club Q.
Additionally, the lawsuits implicate the nightclub’s owners for drastically reducing their security team from at least five personnel to just one in the lead-up to the incident, allegedly prioritizing profits over the safety of their patrons. The suits note that Club Q portrayed itself as a “safe place” for the LGBTQIA+ community, but the plaintiffs describe this perception as a false front.
A pivotal aspect of the lawsuits is the allegation that the El Paso County officials and then-sheriff chose not to enforce Colorado’s red flag law, enacted in 2019. This law permits law enforcement to temporarily confiscate a firearm from individuals regarded as a threat to themselves or others. According to statements made by county officials, the red flag law was viewed as an infringement on the right to bear arms, prompting a resolution declaring their commitment to uphold Second Amendment rights and a promise to resist the law.
The lawsuits argue that authorities should have utilized the red flag law following the prior arrest of Anderson Aldrich, the shooter, who was taken into custody a year before entering Club Q with a firearm. The attack resulted in the deaths of Raymond Green Vance, Kelly Loving, Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, and Ashley Paugh.
In 2021, Aldrich had a run-in with law enforcement for allegedly kidnapping and threatening to kill his grandparents and had made disturbing statements about wanting to become a “next mass killer.” He was found to have accumulated weapons, materials for bomb-making, and protective gear. During a court appearance in 2021, a judge highlighted Aldrich’s concerning actions and statements, suggesting that he was preparing for something serious.
However, the judge eventually dismissed all charges due to “failure to prosecute,” partly because the prosecution could not serve key witnesses. The lawsuits assert that authorities failed to take action to remove Aldrich’s firearms, which allegedly facilitated the horrific attack on Club Q.
The lawsuits separately contend that the El Paso County commissioners and the former sheriff displayed negligence leading to the wrongful deaths. Aldrich, currently 24, has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of murder as well as attempted murder and is now serving a life sentence in state prison. Additionally, he has pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges and received an extended sentence comprising 55 life terms.
