Gay bar shooting suspect faces murder, hate crime charges

By THOMAS PEIPERT, JESSE BEDAYN and BRITTANY PETERSON
Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Hundreds of people have gathered in a Colorado Springs park to honor five people killed and 17 wounded in a weekend shooting at a gay nightclub. Club Q for decades was a sanctuary for the local LGBTQ community. While the community mourned, the 22-year-old man suspected in the attack was being held on preliminary charges of murder and hate crimes. Authorities said the attack was halted by two club patrons. Army veteran Richard Fierro told reporters Monday night that he pulled Aldrich down and severely beat him until police arrived. The suspect and 13 victims remained hospitalized.