The shooter who killed 5 at a Colorado LGBTQ+ club pleads guilty to 50 federal hate crimes
In this image taken from video provided by the Colorado Judicial Branch, Anderson Lee Aldrich, left, appears in court on June 26, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colo., where they pleaded guilty to state charges related to the attack.
Aldrich was sentenced in federal court to 55 life terms on charges that hate crimes. (Colorado Judicial Branch via AP, File) COLLEEN SLEVIN | Associated Press DENVER — The shooter who killed five people and injured 19 others at an LGBTQ club that was a refuge in the conservative city of Colorado Springs pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes and was sentenced to 55 life terms in prison on Tuesday, June 18, but once again declined to apologize or say anything to the victims’ families.
Prosecutors nevertheless highlighted the importance of Anderson Lee Aldrich being forced to take responsibility for the hatred toward LGBTQ people that they say motivated the mass shooting.
As part of a plea agreement, Aldrich repeatedly admitted on Tuesday to evidence of hate. “The admission that these were hate crimes is important to the government, and it’s important to the community of Club Q,” said prosecutor Alison Connaughty.
