Two bartenders at Club Q in Colorado Springs were among the five confirmed killed in Saturday night’s shooting tragedy. They were the first to be named yesterday by police.
The attack happened just before midnight. A gunman walked into the club with a long rifle and began firing at staff and patrons. He managed to kill five and injure around 25 others before two patrons overpowered him and used his weapon to beat and subdue him. Cops have recovered the rifle and another gun at the scene.
The attacker, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, is now in custody and likely facing multiple first-degree murder charges.
The bartenders killed were Daniel Davis Aston, age 28, and Derrick Rump.
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Daniel Davis Aston
Aston, a trans man, was the self-described “Master of Silly Business” and would sometimes perform for patrons at the club. He heralded from Tulsa, Oklahoma and moved to Colorado Springs a couple of years ago with his parents.
His mom, Sabrina Aston, told Associated Press, “We are in shock … I keep thinking it’s a mistake, they made a mistake, and that he is really alive.”
She added that she and her husband would often see Daniel perform at Club Q.
“(Daniel’s shows) are great. Everybody needs to go see him. He lit up a room, always smiling, always happy and silly,” she said.
On Facebook, a cousin of Daniel’s posted a moving tribute.
“I have no idea what to say or what to even think! My family is completely devastated for losing one of our brightest lights,” wrote Jacob Cummins. “I will miss you forever! I hope you finally get to meet our Grandpa Roy and tell him all about his grandsons … Nana is already probably spoiling you rotten as Nana does.”
“I truly cannot believe the world has lost such an incredible soul,” wrote another friend, Rachel Tatto. “He was kind and funny. He could make me laugh at any time. Growing up he was a rock and roll rebel and didn’t care what anyone thought. Always drumming a beat and being goofy. He was brave and made sure that others felt included. He had this extraordinary ability to lift anyone up and to make them feel loved.”
It has been confirmed that we lost these two beautiful boys in the attack on Club Q. Please know that they were loved and that we are grieving them. We REMEMBER them. #tdor #clubq pic.twitter.com/0XiAbGtf65
— Colorado Queer Economy (@Economy10_CO) November 20, 2022
Derrick Rump
Derrick Rump originally came from Berks County, Pennsylvania before settling in Colorado Springs.
“I guess I’m just waiting for someone to be like, ‘Oh, it’s the wrong Derrick,'” Anthony Jaramillo, a friend of Rump, said, reports CBS.
Jaramillo added that Rump was a much-loved member of the LGBTQ community in Colorado Springs.
“Loving, supportive, with a heavy hand in his drink pouring, and just a really good listener and would not be afraid to tell you when you were wrong instead of telling you what you wanted to hear and that was really valuable.”
On Facebook, friend Delaney Sailer posted, “Derrick Rump, we have known each other from 7 yrs ago. You were kind, loving, and caring and an amazing great friend. You gave me advice, which I will never and have not forgotten.
“When I used to walk into Club Q, I always see you behind the bar, putting the bracelet on after I shown you my i.d. and making me whatever drink I ask for. Whenever you had a break, we sat outside on the patio and talk and you listened to me and understood with what I went through or how I was feeling.”
The attack on the LGBTQ venue happened on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance. It was also the night before the queer venue hosted an all-ages brunch. It is being investigated as a hate crime.
How to help those impacted by the Club Q Colorado Springs tragedy
Two main fundraisers are collecting money to help those impacted by the attack. Colorado Gives has a dedicated site for helping those killed in mass shooting tragedies: Colorado Healing Fund.
Also, GoFundMe has verified this fundraiser set up by a former employer: At the time of writing, it has taken over $300,000 in donations.
abfab
Oh my. Oh dear. My heart is broken. Look at these lovely faces. Those smiles. So gentle. I will read this later. I just can’t. My goodness.
sfhairy
my hear aches for our beautiful brothers and sisters. RIP and know you are seen!
Beanie16
I am sad and I am outraged, this happens in the black cane they march through the streets. They are mad and they are done with it. The black community has had a Target on their backs for as long as white people have been in power now we have a GIANT KILL target on ours. I was raised around guns so I’m not afraid nor do I th they should all be outlawed, so i am buying a handgun and going back to the firing range. I am also trying to organize classes on how we can protect ourselves, self defense, how to use mace and tasers…personal safety that isn’t lethal. We need to be taught what to do if there is an active shooter in the place, on a side note let’s lift up those here that subdued the terrorist and beat him, I’d have done saline castratingbhim so he could never forget what he did, and if that makes me like him in your mind…that’s your problem. We are perceived as weak and that isn’t far from the truth when all we do is offer the exact same meaningless’Thoughts and Prayers”.
LumpyPillows
Every time I start to get a little complacent, something terrible like this happens. So sad. So much to unpack to understand. Colorado Springs has always had so many horrible people living in what is otherwise a beautiful place.