Survivors and families of victims in the 2022 mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, have filed lawsuits alleging that the tragedy could have been avoided if local authorities had enforced Colorado’s red flag law. The law, passed in 2019, allows officials to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
The lawsuits, filed on Sunday, coincide with the second anniversary of the attack, which left five people dead and 17 others injured. Plaintiffs include survivor Barrett Hudson, who still carries three bullets from the shooting in his body, and relatives of the deceased.
Allegations Against County Authorities
Central to the lawsuits is the claim that the El Paso County commissioners and then-sheriff actively resisted implementing the red flag law, seeing it as an infringement on gun rights. According to court documents, the county declared itself a “Second Amendment preservation county” and vowed to “actively resist” the legislation.
The lawsuits argue that the shooter, Anderson Aldrich, presented clear warning signs of violence a year before the attack. Aldrich was arrested in 2021 for allegedly kidnapping and threatening to kill his grandparents while amassing firearms, bomb-making materials, and body armor. Despite these red flags, authorities did not act to remove Aldrich’s weapons.
“This deliberate inaction allowed the shooter continued access to firearms, directly enabling the attack on Club Q,” the lawsuits state.
Club Security Also Under Scrutiny
The lawsuits also name Club Q’s owners, accusing them of negligence for reducing security measures in the years leading up to the attack. The complaints claim that the club, which advertised itself as a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals, had cut its security team from five or more personnel to just one.
“Club Q advertised itself as a ‘safe place’ for LGBTQIA+ individuals. But that was a façade,” the lawsuits allege.
Tragedy at Club Q
The November 19, 2022, shooting at Club Q claimed the lives of five people: Raymond Green Vance, Kelly Loving, Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, and Ashley Paugh. Survivors described a harrowing scene as Aldrich opened fire indiscriminately inside the nightclub.
In June 2023, Aldrich pleaded guilty in state court to five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murder, receiving a life sentence. Later, in federal court, Aldrich pleaded guilty to hate crimes and received an additional 55 life terms in prison.
Legal and Community Response
The lawsuits allege negligence and wrongful death on the part of the El Paso County commissioners and former sheriff. Natalie Sosa, a spokesperson for El Paso County, declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy emphasized the importance of accountability. “This case highlights the catastrophic consequences of failing to address warning signs of violent behavior,” Levy said in a statement.
The plaintiffs are scheduled to discuss their legal action at a news conference, marking two years since the devastating attack on Club Q. The lawsuits aim to bring justice to the victims and shed light on systemic failures in addressing potential threats.
