Colorado nightclub shooter receives dozens of life sentences

The 24-year-old man on Tuesday received 55 life sentences, which would run concurrent to each other but consecutive to another 190-year prison term, according to the U.S. Justice Department. The defendant pleaded guilty to 74 hate crimes and firearms-related charges related to his attack on an LGBTQ-themed nightclub in Colorado Springs, the department said.

What happened in the shooting? The defendant entered the club on Nov. 19, 2022, and opened fire with a rifle. He continued to fire until club patrons subdued him. As a part of his plea bargain, the defendant admitted that he murdered five people, injured 19 others, and attempted to murder 26 more, according to the Justice Department. He also admitted that his attack on Colorado Springs’ Club Q was premeditated and that he was motivated to attack the club by the actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity of its customers.

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archives, read Mary Muncy’s report about the Justice Department initially filing charges against Aldrich.