Helping and Healing the LGBTQ Community After Club Q Shooting in Colorado Springs

In the days following a deadly shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, that left five people dead and at least 18 others injured, survivors and others feel that their local community is shattered.

“This is the only LGBTQIA+ space we have here in the city of Colorado Springs,” one survivor told USA Today. “Where are we going to go,” he asked. “We can rebuild; we can do things, but…how can we now do anything knowing that something like this can happen?”

As support for the LGBTQ communities comes in, authorities have identified the five victims and One Colorado has provided additional information about who the victims were. In identifying the victims, Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said it was important that the victims’ pronouns were included.

"We respect all of our community members including our LGBTQ community," he said at a press briefing on Monday, November 21. "Therefore, we will be identifying the victims by how they identified themselves and how their families have loved and identified them,” he added. "We strive to give the victims the dignity and respect that they deserve as well as shine the light of public attention on the victims," he said.

About the Victims:

• Ashley Paugh, she/her, 35. Drove up from La Junta for a day trip to the Springs. Leaves behind her husband and 11-year-old daughter.

• Daniel Aston, he/him, 28. Bartender and frequent performer at Club Q. Moved to Colorado two years ago with his parents. He loved 80s music and was the life of the party.
• Raymond Green Vance, he/him, 22. Went to Club Q to enjoy a show with his girlfriend, her parents, and friends; they were celebrating a birthday. His closest friend describes him as gifted, one-of-a-kind, and willing to go out of his way to help anyone.
• Derrick Rump, he/him, 38. Bartender at Club Q. He bought lashes and outfits for drag queens who couldn’t afford them, and during the pandemic, when all of the performers lost their jobs, he bought other people’s groceries for two months straight.
• Kelly Loving, she/her, 40. She was from Memphis and moved to Colorado about a month ago. Friends describe her as compassionate, generous, and trusting.

Kelly Loving and Daniel Aston were transgender.

Heroic Army Veteran Takes Down Shooter

Richard Fierro, the Army veteran who tackled the Club Q gunman. Photo source: NBC News.

When the gunman opened fire on patrons in the club late Saturday night, November 19^th, a quick-acting Army veteran, Richard M. Fierro says he “went into combat mode.” He took down the gunman and restrained him with the help of another patron until the police arrived.

In an interview with the New York Times, Fierro, who served 15 years in the Army and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, said, “I grabbed the gun out of [the shooter’s] hand and just started hitting him in the head, over and over.”

Fierro told a drag dancer to kick the attacker with her high heels. Once police arrived on the scene, Fierro kept helping. Harkening back to his days in the military, he yelled, “Casualties. Casualties. I need a medic here now.”

In the chaos of the situation, police briefly detained Fierro, who had blood on him and was holding the shooter’s gun. Officers handcuffed him and placed him in the back of a police car while they continued to assess the scene. He was soon freed and allowed to reunite with his family.

Fierro was visiting Club Q with his wife, daughter, his daughter’s boyfriend, and two family friends, celebrating a birthday and watching one of his daughter’s friends perform in drag. Tragically, Fierro learned the next day that his daughter’s boyfriend, Raymond Green Vance, was one of the victims who died.

Police are crediting Mr. Fierro and other patrons with saving lives that night, saying that the death toll could have been much higher if they hadn’t acted.

One Colorado

Police process the crime scene at Club Q. Photo source: The-Sun.com.

In a statement following the tragedy, One Colorado executive director Nadine Bridges (she/her) said, “There are no words that will undo the horror that continues to devastate our communities. Our safe spaces continue to become places of grief, trauma, and sorrow due to gun violence, mass shootings, and the general disrespect for our human condition. Not one more life should be taken or lost. No one should feel unsafe to celebrate or live authentically in public.”

“I commend the Colorado Springs first responders, police department, and the courageous Club Q community who worked swiftly to stop the violence. One Colorado calls on our local, state, and federal lawmakers to go beyond statements and condolences and take swift, exacting action to ensure public safety. It is imperative to protect every single person in our communities–especially our most vulnerable, on which gun violence has taken an enormous toll. To the courageous Club Q community who experienced this nightmare – I see you, One Colorado is here for you, and your LGBTQ+ community stands with you,” she added.

One Colorado has identified ways you can help and has provided a number of resources for those needing emotional support:

 How You Can Help

• Club Q has requested donations be sent to the Colorado Healing Fund, which will support those directly affected by this shooting.
  • The Colorado Healing Fund works with local agencies and organizations in the community where the mass tragedy occurred to identify the immediate and long-term needs of victims, their families, and others significantly impacted by the tragedy. Another role of the Colorado Healing Fund is to conduct crisis management trainings for law enforcement, first responders, and other stakeholders throughout Colorado.

Healing Resources and Hotlines

• Here is a list of therapists and counselors in the Colorado Springs area and beyond offering free sessions to anyone impacted by the tragedy at Club Q.

• Colorado Crisis Services is available 24/7/365 at 1-844-493-TALK (8225), or via their Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
• The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people and is available for support via call, text, or chat:
  • Call 1-866-488-7386
  • Text START to 678-678
  • To chat via computer, visit org/webchat