Anderson Lee Aldrich Sentenced to 2,208 Years for Deadly 2022 Club Q Shooting
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In a historic ruling, a federal judge in Colorado has sentenced Anderson Lee Aldrich to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 190 years, for the horrific 2022 shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs that left five people dead and 19 injured. Aldrich, 24, pleaded guilty to 74 federal hate crimes and firearms charges related to the attack on the LGBTQ+ nightclub.
The U.S. Justice Department announced that Aldrich received 55 concurrent sentences to be served consecutively after admitting that his actions were partly motivated by hatred for the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the gravity of his crimes, prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, opting instead for a plea agreement reached earlier this year.
"The Club Q shooting stands as one of the most violent crimes against the gay community in our nation's history," FBI Director Christopher Wray stated. The victims of the attack included bartender Daniel Davis Aston, 28; customer Kelly Loving, 40; bartender and co-owner Derrick Rump, 38; customer Ashley Paugh, 35; and customer Raymond Greene Vance, 22.
Cheryl Norton, whose daughter survived the shooting after being hit nine times, implored U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney to show no leniency. "Please, your honor, I’m pleading with you. Lock this animal away to the depths of hell," Norton urged.
Already serving five consecutive life sentences for state murder charges, Aldrich faced further condemnation for his crimes. Colorado Judge Michael McHenry sentenced him to an additional 2,208 years for attempted murder, bias-motivated crimes, and more. In his June 2023 plea, Aldrich admitted to deliberately causing each victim’s death.
Judge Sweeney, the first openly gay federal judge in Colorado, condemned Aldrich's actions. "You targeted this community where it lives and breathes. This community is stronger than your armor, than your weapons, and it’s sure as heck stronger than your hatred," she declared.
Family members and friends of the victims shared their impact statements in court. While some, like Cheryl Norton, expressed their enduring pain and inability to forgive, others, such as drag queen Wyatt Kent, chose a different path. Kent, who was performing at Club Q during the attack, told Aldrich, "I forgive you. We, the queer community, are the resilient ones. We continue to find joy in trauma and pain, things you will never experience for the rest of your life." Kent’s partner, Aston, was among those killed in the shooting.
On the night of the attack, Aldrich arrived at Club Q armed with an AR-15 style rifle and a ballistic vest. His rampage was halted by brave patrons, including Army veteran Richard Fierro, who subdued Aldrich by grabbing his gun and striking him with it. Fierro later remarked that Aldrich’s evil was overcome by a diverse group of people, including LGBTQ+ individuals and veterans, whom he called "real heroes."
This sentence marks a significant moment of justice for the victims and the LGBTQ+ community, affirming their strength and resilience in the face of hatred and violence.
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The U.S. Justice Department announced that Aldrich received 55 concurrent sentences to be served consecutively after admitting that his actions were partly motivated by hatred for the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the gravity of his crimes, prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, opting instead for a plea agreement reached earlier this year.
"The Club Q shooting stands as one of the most violent crimes against the gay community in our nation's history," FBI Director Christopher Wray stated. The victims of the attack included bartender Daniel Davis Aston, 28; customer Kelly Loving, 40; bartender and co-owner Derrick Rump, 38; customer Ashley Paugh, 35; and customer Raymond Greene Vance, 22.
Cheryl Norton, whose daughter survived the shooting after being hit nine times, implored U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney to show no leniency. "Please, your honor, I’m pleading with you. Lock this animal away to the depths of hell," Norton urged.
Already serving five consecutive life sentences for state murder charges, Aldrich faced further condemnation for his crimes. Colorado Judge Michael McHenry sentenced him to an additional 2,208 years for attempted murder, bias-motivated crimes, and more. In his June 2023 plea, Aldrich admitted to deliberately causing each victim’s death.
Judge Sweeney, the first openly gay federal judge in Colorado, condemned Aldrich's actions. "You targeted this community where it lives and breathes. This community is stronger than your armor, than your weapons, and it’s sure as heck stronger than your hatred," she declared.
Family members and friends of the victims shared their impact statements in court. While some, like Cheryl Norton, expressed their enduring pain and inability to forgive, others, such as drag queen Wyatt Kent, chose a different path. Kent, who was performing at Club Q during the attack, told Aldrich, "I forgive you. We, the queer community, are the resilient ones. We continue to find joy in trauma and pain, things you will never experience for the rest of your life." Kent’s partner, Aston, was among those killed in the shooting.
On the night of the attack, Aldrich arrived at Club Q armed with an AR-15 style rifle and a ballistic vest. His rampage was halted by brave patrons, including Army veteran Richard Fierro, who subdued Aldrich by grabbing his gun and striking him with it. Fierro later remarked that Aldrich’s evil was overcome by a diverse group of people, including LGBTQ+ individuals and veterans, whom he called "real heroes."
This sentence marks a significant moment of justice for the victims and the LGBTQ+ community, affirming their strength and resilience in the face of hatred and violence.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Karen Read Trial, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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