Only Named Victims of Colo. Shooting Includes Trans Bartender
Two of the victims in the mass shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ dance bar on Saturday have been identified. Derrick Rump and Daniel Aston were bartenders at the club. Aston was a trans man, reported the Daily Mail
They are the only named victims of the attack, which occurred on the eve of The Transgender Day of Remembrance. The attack appeared to be premeditated, carried out by a single gunman armed with an AR-15. The shooting is now being investigated as a hate crime, with sole suspect Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, currently in police custody.
On Twitter, journalist Allison Sherry posted a photo of Aston's parents holding a photo of Aston when he was five years old. She wrote: "Jim and Sabrina Aston's son Daniel died last night at Club Q. He was a bartender but last night he was also performing. He was a trans man and they feel strongly that speaking out may help others. This is a photo of them holding a photo of Dan at 5 years old. Story TK."
"Police have also revealed that Aldrich was subdued by at least two heroic patrons who confronted him during the mayhem, and are credited with saving lives. At least five were confirmed Sunday to be among the dead, with a further 25 injured," the Daily Mail continued.
"Aldrich, meanwhile, remains in custody at a local hospital for unknown injuries. He was previously arrested in June 2021 for a bomb threat but was never formally charged. It is not clear when he was apprehended by lawmen."