The 22-year-old suspect who allegedly killed five and wounded 17 others after opening fire inside a gay nightclub in Colorado last week identifies as non-binary and uses They/Them pronouns, according to court documents.
New York Times reporter Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs obtained a new court filing Tuesday night showing public defenders referring to their client as Mx.
Anderson Lee Aldrich, the alleged gunman, opened fire inside Club Q in Colorado Springs, which describes itself online as an “adult-oriented gay and lesbian nightclub hosting theme nights such as karaoke, drag shows & DJs.”
Police said the suspected gunman entered the venue with a long rifle and immediately began shooting. At least two patrons inside the club confronted and stopped the shooter, authorities said.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said, “their actions clearly saved lives,” while Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez described them as “heroic.”
Local media reports that authorities said the shooter faces five counts of first-degree murder after deliberation and five counts of a bias-motivated crime that caused bodily injury.
Prosecutors suggest the shooting is considered a hate crime based on the bias-motivated crime charge.
The Associated Press reports that the alleged gunman changed his name just before turning 16 after filing a legal petition in Texas, saying he wanted to “protect himself” from a father with a criminal history, including alleged domestic violence against the suspect’s mother.
The suspect’s father was a mixed martial arts fighter and pornography performer with a long criminal history, including convictions for battery against the alleged shooter’s mother, according to The Associated Press.
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