Club Q mass shooter accepts plea deal; Receives 5 life sentences without parole plus 2,208 years

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - The person accused of committing the mass shooting at the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ mass shooting accepted a plea deal, waiving his right to a jury trial.

Anderson Aldrich, 23, pleaded guilty to five counts of murder in the first degree and 46 counts of attempted murder in the first degree. Anderson also pleaded no contest to two bias-motivated crimes.

Monday's arraignment began with the judge going over the plea agreement with the defense and whether or not Aldrich understood what was happening. The shooter spoke only when necessary.

Judge Michael McHenry made it clear this is a final decision - a trial can not happen at a later date.

After going over the plea deal, the charges, and whether or not Aldrich understands what's happening, the judge accepted the plea deal.

When going over the first-degree murder charges Judge McHenry read the names of each of the five victims. When asked if Aldrich pleaded guilty, the shooter paused briefly before leaning down and replying with "Guilty."

Judge McHenry then proceeded to read every name of the 46 counts of attempted murder represented. The killer again said, "Guilty."

Before proceeding with sentencing, Judge McHenry allowed those deeply affected by the mass shooting to provide statements on behalf of the victims and themselves.

The first statements came from the loved ones of the five victims:

• Daniel Aston
• Kelly Loving
• Derrick Rump
• Ashley Paugh
• Raymond Vance

Each victim had someone stand up and speak. The parents of Daniel Aston noted a powerful force was taken out of this world. Ashley Paugh's sister detailed the screams of her niece when learning Ashley wasn't coming home.

A few speakers touched on the Associated Press report in which the killer claimed to be remorseful for the actions they committed that November night. The loved ones stated they think that was a lie, and the apology was self-serving.

Survivors and others affected by the shooting then spoke.

Ashtin Gamblin, who worked the front door at Club Q, explained how she was shot nine times and only survived because of the selflessness of Daniel Aston who protected her.

Richard Fierro, the veteran credited with stopping the Club Q shooting, called the shooter a domestic terrorist who chose to target the innocent.

Finally, after the statements Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen spoke. He insisted the shooter knew what they were doing and was clear-headed at the time of the killings, calling Aldrich a coward. Allen noted investigators found hand-drawn diagrams of Club Q that laid out how best to carry out the attack. The killer had enough ammunition to kill everyone inside the LGBTQ+ nightclub several times over.

Allen asked for five consecutive life sentences, 48 years for each of the 46 counts of attempted first-degree murder, which totals 2,208 years, and an additional four years for the bias-motivated charges to run concurrently with the other sentences. He also asked to keep the option of restitution open for the maximum time under the law.

While speaking - Allen paused to allow Drea Norman to speak. She is credited with helping Fierro and Thomas Janes after they took down the killer during the shooting.

Judge McHenry addressed the killer again, asking if there was anything they wanted to say. The shooter denied speaking directly, but the defense read a statement on their behalf. In the statement, the shooter claimed they were "deeply remorseful" and "sorry" for the people killed, the lives impacted, and the injuries.

The judge sentenced the shooter to five consecutive life sentences plus an additional 2,208 years in prison, saying for taking those five lives and trying to take 46 more, the killer will spend the rest of their life in prison.

Payment and restitution will also happen.

KRDO streamed a portion of the court appearance above.

Following the arraignment, law enforcement, the district attorney's office, local leaders, and survivors addressed the public. That can be watched here.