Two lawsuits have been filed by victims and families of the 2022 mass shooting at LGBTQIA+ Club Q in Colorado Springs, alleging that authorities could have prevented the tragedy if they had enforced the state's 'red flag law' against the gunman. The lawsuits were filed in US District Court, just days before the second anniversary of the attack.
The red flag law, officially known as the Extreme Risk Protection Order, allows for temporary seizure of firearms if a person is deemed a risk to themselves or others. The suits claim that despite the shooter's history of violent threats and behavior, El Paso County law enforcement failed to invoke the law due to policies against its use.
In 2019, the El Paso County Commissioners designated the county as a Second Amendment Sanctuary, opposing the red flag law. Former Sheriff Bill Elder, named in the lawsuits, voiced opposition to the law, citing concerns about due process and constitutional rights.
The suits allege that Elder's actions allowed the gunman to retain access to weapons despite prior arrests and expressed intent to commit violence. The shooter had faced charges in 2021, including felony menacing and first-degree kidnapping, but those charges were dropped.
The families' suit claims that Elder's inaction enabled the attack on Club Q, where five people were killed and 19 others injured. The lawsuits also target Club Q and its owners, alleging security shortfalls at the venue despite increased awareness for security at LGBTQIA+ nightclubs.
Club Q reportedly reduced its security team in the years leading up to the shooting, raising concerns about safety measures at the establishment. Anderson Lee Aldrich, the gunman, pleaded guilty to charges that will result in a life sentence in prison.
