After the fatal attack at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the first details about the alleged perpetrator have become known. Anderson Lee Aldrich describes himself as a non-binary person, meaning he does not identify as either a male or a female, his attorneys announced ahead of a first court hearing on Wednesday.
Aldrich, 22, opened fire on Saturday night at Club Q in Colorado Springs, killing five people. 18 others were injured, some seriously, in the attack. The shooter was overpowered by two guests and arrested by the police.
The motive of the perpetrator is so far unclear. At a first short court hearing on Wednesday, Aldrich was connected via video. He sat in the county jail in orange inmate garb, speaking only to confirm his name and that he had been informed of his rights. His lawyers had previously informed the court in writing of his non-binary gender identity.
US media also reported that Aldrich had a difficult childhood. As a baby, his name was Nicholas Brink. However, his parents separated when he was two years old. Both parents had drug problems. As a youth, Aldrich adopted a new name.
Aldrich's father, who says he was a former porn actor and is now a martial arts coach, told CBS that he "praised" Aldrich for violent behavior as a child. "I told him it worked," he said. The father told the New York Times that he had also expressed his strong dislike of homosexuals to his son. On CBS he said, "There are no gays in the Mormon Church."
On Saturday, Club Q celebrated the day of remembrance for the “victims of transphobia” with a drag queen show, among other things. November 20 is celebrated worldwide as “Transgender Day of Remembrance”. The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.