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Police in Colorado Springs reported Saturday just before midnight, a 22-year-old gunman entered Club Q and immediately began to open fire, killing 5 people and injuring 25 others.
According to Colorado Springs Police, the killer used a long rifle and had two other firearms on him. At least two patrons of the club confronted him and took him down before police arrived, preventing him from doing even more harm.
"We owe them a great debt of thanks," Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said.
"Club Q is a safe haven for our LGBTQ citizens."
"Every citizen has a right to feel safe and secure in our city, to go about our beautiful city without fear of being harmed or treated poorly."
Joshua Thurman, who was at Club Q for his birthday, recounted his experience to news station KRDO.
Thurman said that initially, he thought the shots fired were part of the music as no one screamed for help.
After hearing more shots, Thurman recalled that he ran back to the dressing room.
Another patron followed him and a drag performer, Delusional, was already in the dressing room.
"I made them lock the doors and we got down on the ground and cut off the lights immediately."
Thurman said that they heard everything happening as they were hiding from the gunman.
"We heard more shots fired. We heard the assailant being beat up by someone I assume that tackled him."
"We heard the police come in. We heard them yelling at him."
You can watch the emotional interview below.
Witness inside Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub during mass shootingyoutu.be
Thurman also shared of Club Q:
"This is our only safe space here in the Springs, and so for this to get shot up..."
"What are we going to do now? Where are we going to go?"
Thurman revealed that Club Q was the only LGBTQ+ space in the entire city.
"How are we going to feel safe in our city?"
Many poured out their love and support for Thurman and others who were affected by this awful tragedy.
\u201c@mattmfm Sending you love, Joshua, from the bottom of my heart. We mourn with you.\u201d— Matt McDermott (@Matt McDermott) 1668964647
I look at this heartfelt interview and see a person who deserves love and community and a safe place to celebrate a birthday with friends.
I don't understand people who see anything else.#cryingwithJoshua
— TrueBlueMajority (@TruBluMajority) November 20, 2022
Take care of yourself Joshua 💕 you are loved and supported more than you know ❤️☮️ 🌈
— realMarieWagner (@realMarieWagner) November 20, 2022
I’m so sorry, Joshua. All my love to you and the other survivors.
You matter. You matter very much. pic.twitter.com/Wc6MENfQiE
— Hengequeen Wonder Wench 🇺🇦 🌻 (@CandiBea_1966) November 20, 2022
I am so sorry that fear and hatred is so heavily stoked. I am sorry bigots make you unsafe.
— Ana Artigas (@ana_artigas8) November 20, 2022
Please know that this 62 year old straight, married Mom is crying for and with you Joshua. THIS HAS TO STOP. I stand with the LGBTQ community. God bless you all in this dark time.
— Tracy Des Combes (@TracyCombes) November 20, 2022
Many also shared their despair and outrage that these senseless and hateful acts continue to occur.
Please know that this 62 year old straight, married Mom is crying for and with you Joshua. THIS HAS TO STOP. I stand with the LGBTQ community. God bless you all in this dark time.
— Tracy Des Combes (@TracyCombes) November 20, 2022
In the Intermountain West, the precious places like Joshua describes are few to non-existent. When it happens in one valued place the reach of fear is through a mountain spine of this country. LGBTQIA+ people are here and in tears like Joshua.
— Debra East (@DebraEastWyo) November 20, 2022
The constant drumbeat of the #GOP hatred for "others" The "woke" all of it. It sickens me.
Our country is sick. The sickness is spread through the #EvangelicalGOP
There should be no place for hate anymore.
— TrumpianCovidiot (@TrumpianC) November 20, 2022
🙏🙏🙏 The outright hatred of people who are different from "you" has gotten out of hand. I find this particularly strong in my acquaintances who rant about how religious they are. We are so far away from the values of everyone should be loved & turn the other cheek Let's Be Kind
— Sher (@w00sher) November 20, 2022
None of us is safe until all of us are safe. Whatever it takes, we must put an end to the hatred & bigotry consuming our country because of evangelical nationalism. There is nothing Christian about it. 💔
— Paula, #Buttigieg Democrat 🐝✈️🚗🍷☮️🇺🇦 (@paularadell) November 20, 2022
Life is suppose to be this amazing journey full of experiences that teaches us that we are the expression of love. Self hatred creates these situations. This world is full of self hate programs. These acts against others are proof!🙏🏾🙏🏾
— sheila smith (@Sheilaspirit9) November 20, 2022
This truly is heartbreaking. It makes me so sad and angry that the hateful rhetoric of some politicians leads directly to these tragedies. Sending much love to this man snd Colorado Springs. We should be better then this.
— From700Isles (@LFrimaire) November 20, 2022
Club Q took to social media to respond to the tragic event, saying that they were "devastated by the senseless attack on our community." They also shared their appreciation for the "quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack."
Governor Jared Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff statewide to honor victims of the shooting from Monday through Saturday.
"Flags will be lowered for five days to remember each of the five individuals who lost their lives in this senseless tragedy."
"To further honor and remember the victims and those injured in this tragedy, the Polis-Primavera administration will also be flying the Pride flag at the Colorado state capitol for the next five days."