Anderson Lee Aldrich, the gunman accused of killing five people and injuring 25 others at a Colorado Springs gay club last month, is now facing a staggering 305 charges.
Aldrich, 22, who appeared in court for the first time since his arrest Tuesday morning, sat with his defense attorney as the state prosecution presented its case.
In addition to the charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, Aldrich is also charged with first- and second-degree assault and “numerous misdemeanors.”
Aldrich, who identifies as non-binary, allegedly opened fire at Club Q in Colorado Springs on the night of November 19. They continued firing for six minutes, during which time the patrons beat and beat them.
Five people died, including bartenders Daniel Davis Aston, 28, and Derrick Ramp.
“I thought it was music, so I started dancing,” survivor Joshua Thurman told reporters of the terrifying scene. “Then I heard another shot, and then me and the client ran into the dressing room, got down on the floor, locked the doors and immediately called the police.
“There were bodies on the ground, blood, broken glass, broken glass and it was worse outside,” he said.
Aldrich was arrested at the scene and is being held without bond.
The estranged child of MMA fighter porn actor Aaron Brink, Aldrich is also the maternal grandson of California GOP state assemblyman Randy Vopel, who made headlines for comparing the Jan. 6 riots to the American Revolution.
Both Aldrich and their mother, Laura Voepel, have had run-ins with the law. The day after the shooting, Voepel was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Voepel, 45, was allegedly warned “several times” at his home to “stop yelling” or he would be arrested for disorderly conduct. Presented by KDVR says.
A police officer said Voepel was combative and physically resisted when he was arrested on Nov. 20 at approximately 3:30 a.m. He was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and disorderly conduct, an “unspecified misdemeanor.”
Voepel has also previously drawn controversy with the law, which includes three outstanding warrants for his arrest in California.
Meanwhile, the state’s attorney warned in court Tuesday that the case against Aldrich is “extensive” and that prosecutors may continue to change charges in the coming weeks.
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