A 22-year-old gunman immediately opened fire as he entered a LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs late Saturday night, killing 5 and injuring 18 others. The club said “heroic customers” confronted and subdued the gunman.  

Chief Adrian Vasquez of the Colorado Springs Police Department said two guns were recovered from the scene. Police identified Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, as the suspect. Police received an initial call at 11:57pm on Saturday, Colorado Springs Police Lt. Pamela Castro said. 

“They did locate one individual who we believe to be the suspect inside,” Castro added. “At this point in time, the suspect is being treated, but is in custody.” The police took him into custody within five minutes of the call. 

The nightclub, Club Q, released a statement on Facebook about the devastating events last night: “Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community…We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.” 

Some of the 18 injured people could have gotten hurt while fleeing the scene, Colorado Springs officials said, and may not have suffered gunshot wounds. Doctors said two victims remained in critical condition on Sunday morning.

The attack motive was not immediately known, as the investigation continues to unfold.

The FBI said it is now assisting the Colorado Springs police. The police department will host a press conference for 8 a.m. local time on the investigation.

The Colorado Springs shooting is the sixth mass killing this month, according to the AP. Earlier this week, a gunman opened fire at University of Virginia’s campus, killing three and injuring two others. The Colorado Springs shooting is reminiscent of the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016 in Orlando, where a gunman killed 49 people and injured 53 others. 

Exactly 42 years before the shooting in Colorado Springs, on Nov. 19, 1980, a shooter killed two men in front of two gay venues in New York City.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who was just re-elected to the House and is an outspoken gun rights activist, tweeted: “The news out of Colorado Springs is absolutely awful. This morning the victims & their families are in my prayers. This lawless violence needs to end and end quickly.”

A number of members of Congress have spoken out.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also tweeted: “Sickened and horrified by the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. The LGBTQ+ community is once again the target of the most terrible violence. And devastating attacks like these will only become more common if we don’t fight back.It must stop.”

“My heart is with our LGBTQ+ community as we all reel from this violence,” Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) wrote.

“An unspeakable act. We have to protect LGBTQ lives from this hate,” Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) said.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis released a statement: “We are eternally grateful for the brave individuals who blocked the gunman likely saving lives in the process and for the first responders who responded swiftly to this horrific shooting. Colorado stands with our LGTBQ community and everyone impacted by this tragedy as we mourn together.”