US

“Heroic people” confronted a gunman at a gay nightclub in Colorado and stopped him killing any more people, police have said.

Five people died and at least 18 were injured at Club Q in Colorado Springs.

The suspect has been named as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich.

In a news conference, officers said the gunman used a “long rifle” and began shooting as soon as he entered the venue.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said: “At least two heroic people inside the club confronted and fought with the suspect and were able to stop the suspect from continuing to kill and harm others.

“We owe them a great debt of thanks.”

John Suthers, the mayor of Colorado Springs, said their actions “clearly saved lives”.

At least two firearms were found at the scene, and the FBI is assisting with the investigation, Mr Vasquez said.

His officers are working to identify those that died, and to establish whether anyone helped the suspect.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who is openly gay, commended the “brave individuals who blocked the gunman”, describing the attack as “horrific, sickening and devastating”.

The venue called the shooting a “hate attack”. It said: “Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.”

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Five people have been shot dead at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs

The initial phone call reporting the shooting came in at 11.57pm local time, Colorado Springs police lieutenant Pamela Castro said.

Eleven ambulances and 34 firefighters attended the scene, with the incident described as “a mass casualty event”.

Lt Castro said officers were able to enter the club immediately, and located the suspect.

They are now in custody and being treated for injuries at a local hospital.

The area around the nightclub, located in a shopping centre on the outskirts of Colorado Springs, has been closed off.

Club Q describes itself as an “adult-oriented gay and lesbian nightclub hosting theme nights”, with events including karaoke, drag shows and DJ sets.

A DJ set and dancing was listed as taking place from 9pm local time on Saturday night, following karaoke, and had been due to carry on until 2am.

In 2016, a gunman opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people before he was shot dead by police. Over 50 others were also injured.

Treated as an act of terrorism, the shooter Omar Mateen, 29, had claimed allegiance to Islamic State.

At the time it was the worst mass shooting in recent US history.

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