Colorado shooting suspect formally charged with 305 criminal counts

Anderson Lee Aldrich, who is suspected of killing five people and injuring at least 25 others in an LGBTQ nightclub shooting in Colorado Springs, has been formally charged with 305 criminal counts.

These include five counts of first-degree murder, issued today (Tuesday 6 December), over two weeks after the attack in Club Q on 19 November.

Aldrich also faces five counts of committing a bias-motivated, or ‘hate’ crime. There are also charges of attempted murder and assault in the second degree.

The 22-year-old, who has previously been denied bail, allegedly opened fire with an AR-style rifle and handgun immediately upon entering the night club, The Independent reports, before being subdued by club-goers, including an army veteran.

The outlet furthermore adds that Aldrich appeared in court today, wearing a yellow prison jumpsuit.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 22 February 2023.

The suspect’s public defenders have identified Aldrich as non-binary, and as using they/them pronouns.

El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen has previously said that Aldrich’s non-binary identity would have no bearing on how the case around the shooting would be prosecuted and the charges. 

Allen told Reuters: “I’m looking at evidence, evidence of what occurred here. That’s what we look at when we make filing decisions,”