More information is being released about the man identified as the shooter who allegedly killed five people and injured dozens more at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs.
Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, is reportedly the grandson of California State Assembly member Randy Voepel, a pro-Trump Republican who likened the January 6 insurrection to the Revolutionary War.
"This is Lexington and Concord. First shots fired against tyranny," Voepel told the San Diego Union-Tribune three days after the deadly riot. "Tyranny will follow in the aftermath of the Biden swear-in on January 20th."
Days later, Voepel tried to clarify his comments on Twitter, writing "I do not condone or support the violence and lawlessness that took place on Wednesday, January 6th, at our nation's capital. The loss of life, theft of government property, and blatant disregard for law and order is reprehensible and unnecessary."
Voepel lost a re-election bid earlier this month after representing California's 71st Assembly District, which includes parts of San Diego County and Riverside County, since 2016. He also served on the Santee City Council and was the city's mayor from 2000 until 2016, the Union-Tribune reported.
The extent of Aldrich's relationship to his grandfather wasn't immediately clear.
On Saturday night, Aldrich allegedly entered Club Q and opened fire before being subdued by at least two club patrons, who held him until police arrived. Five people were killed and 25 were injured; of those wounded, at least seven are said to be in critical condition.
Police recovered two firearms at the scene, including a long rifle described as an AR-style weapon, and a handgun, CNN reported. Club owners told the New York Times the gunman was wearing a military-style flak jacket as he entered the club with "tremendous firepower."
Police have declined to offer any motive for the shooting as the investigation is ongoing. On its Facebook page, the club called it a "hate attack."
Aldrich faces five counts of first-degree murder and five counts of a bias-motivated crime causing bodily injury in connection to the shooting, CNN reported.
Related
Related
