In the new mugshots released and circulating online, the accused person in the killing of five people in Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs can be seen with multiple bruises after being stomped on by a transgender woman’s high heels, after the murder rampage.
The 22-year-old shooter, Anderson Lee Aldrich, who identifies as a non-binary using the pronouns, they/them, appeared in court with face and neck discolored after two bystanders subdued the gunman during the alleged attack at the LGBTQ nightclub over the weekend.
During the video hearing on Wednesday, Aldrich was ordered to be detained without bond at the first court appearance. The accused, who appeared bruised and bloodied, remained almost motionless during the five-minute ruling and only spoke when prompted by public defenders at the El Paso County Jail.
Although formal charges haven’t been filed, Aldrich will likely face murder and hate-crime charges. The court records about the arrest are sealed at the prosecutors’ request. However, the defense attorneys have requested to see the arrest details.
The suspect is accused of walking into Club Q minutes before midnight and opening fire, killing five and injuring 25 more. The shooting spree ended when two people at the club tackled him to the ground and disarmed him until cops arrived.
When asked about the motive behind the shooting, authorities didn’t divulge any further information. Even so, due to the hate-crime charges, the prosecutors are more than convinced they can prove bias as a motive, potentially due to the sexual orientations of the victims.
In court filings, the accused public defender said Aldrich identifies as non-binary. Hence, the court footnote indicated that “They will be addressed as Mx. Aldrich” for all formal fillings.
In 2016, Aldrich changed his name from Nicholas F. Brink, according to a case file in Texas court. Aldrich’s grandparents requested a change in Aldrich’s name after his 16th birthday to “protect himself” from his father.
“The minor would wish to protect himself and his future from any connection to the biological father and his criminal history.”
In the past, Aldrich’s father, Aaron Brink, had been convicted of battery against Aldrich’s mother, Laura Voepel.
Before the grandparents’ name change request, the accused was bullied online.
In 2021, Aldrich was arrested after threatening his mother with a homemade bomb. The case wasn’t pursued further and charges were dropped, but prosecutors are now asking why the suspect’s firearms were not seized under the state “red flag” laws.
Aldrich’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 6.
