Club Q Shooter Sentenced to Multiple Life Sentences Plus 190 Years for Federal Hate Crimes

Anderson Lee Aldrich, who fatally shot five people and injured 19 others at Colorado Springs' LGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q in November 2022, has been sentenced to 55 more life terms plus 190 years after pleading guilty to 74 federal charges, including 50 hate crimes and 24 firearms charges. This federal sentence adds to the five life sentences Aldrich is already serving from state convictions. The plea deal removed the possibility of the death penalty in exchange for Aldrich's admission of guilt toward hate crimes, which prosecutors emphasized as critical for the LGBTQ+ community's justice. U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney highlighted the resilient spirit of the community during the sentencing. Aldrich, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, declined to apologize or address the families of the victims. Survivors and relatives expressed both relief and frustration, underscoring the emotional toll and the importance of acknowledging the hate-driven nature of the crime.