Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, has been in custody since the attack on Club Q in Colorado Springs, in the northwest of the country, which also left some 18 injured. The suspect, who declared himself non-binary according to lawyers, appeared in court on Tuesday to face charges.
The indictments include 10 counts of first degree murder. (two for each fatality), one of intentional homicide and another of homicide with extreme indifference. Both charges carry life in prison without the chance of parole.
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In the United States, it is common for prosecutors to file multiple charges for the same crime. Aldrich, who did not speak during his court appearance on Tuesday, he also faces 86 counts of attempted first-degree murder, as well as dozens of hate crime and assault charges.
District Attorney Michael Allen told reporters the number of charges shows how seriously authorities are taking the attack. “Obviously filing 305 counts tells the public, this community, this state and this nation, that we take this case as seriously as possible and that we’re going to proceed to the fullest extent of the law,” Allen said.
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The suspect appeared at the hearing wearing the jail’s yellow uniform. Bearded, Aldrich appeared to have recovered from the injuries he sustained when one of Club Q’s patrons intervened to stop the attack.
Military veteran Richard Fierro, who was with his wife at the club, recounted in interviews that he seized the pistol from the attacker and used it as a tool to control Aldrich.
The November 20 shooting brought Colorado Springs’ LGBTIQ+ community to mourning, leaving the small town on edge. Matthew Haynes, one of the owners of Club Q, said the inclusion of hate crime charges shows it was a targeted attack.
“The tragedy at Club Q shows that words matter and that words have real consequences in the world”Haynes was quoted as saying by the Denver Post. “We will continue to call the attention of those who spread offensive rhetoric and promote violence against the LGBT+ community to stop this behavior before more people are hurt.”
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The assailant broke into the premises and began shooting at people as they entered, until he was reduced by at least two of those present on the premises, one of whom was injured. Prosecutor Allen reported that the case will still be investigated “for some time” and that the charges could vary.
Details about Aldrich came to light after the attack, revealing a chaotic life marked by an unstable childhood at the hands of parents suffering from drug abuse. A two-day preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 22. The trial, however, should take until 2024, the prosecutor said.
Santiago Andres Venera Salazar
INTERNATIONAL WRITING
*With information from AFP and EFE
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