Colorado nightclub shooting suspect charged with murder, hate crime

The suspect has been identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, a 22-year-old who was also arrested in 2021 on suspicion of making bomb threats.

"The motive of the crime is part of the investigation and whether this was a hate crime is part of that investigation," Deputy Chief Adrian Vasquez of the Colorado Springs Police Department said.

Vasquez also noted that at least two firearms were recovered at the scene, but only confirmed that the suspect used a rifle in the shooting.

During a press conference, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said that the gunman was subdued by "heroic" patrons.

"As indicated, there is much we're still waiting to learn about this tragic incident. We know one or more patrons heroically intervened to subdue the suspect and we praise those individuals that did so because their actions clearly saved lives. We also thank our first responders across the Pike's Peak region who quickly responded," he said.