Colorado Springs gay club shooting suspect pleads guilty in attack that killed 5

mass shooting that killed five people at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ nightclub last year has pleaded guilty in the attack. Monday’s plea by Anderson Lee Aldrich comes just seven months after the shooting and spares victim’s families and survivors a long and potentially painful trial.Aldrich pleaded guilty to five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murder.

Aldrich also pleaded no contest to two counts of bias-motivated crimes, one a felony and the other a misdemeanor.The defendant faces life in prison on the murder charges under the plea agreement."I intentionally and after deliberation caused the death of each victim," Aldrich told Judge Michael McHenry.People in courtroom wiped away tears as the judge explained the charges and read out the names of the victims.A mourner brings flowers to leave at the growing memorial where hundreds of flowers, balloons, signs and remembrances have been left for the victims of the Club Q shooting on November 21, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Photo by Helen H.

Richard RELATED: Colorado Springs shooting brought 'incredible act of heroism' among patrons, mayor saysThe plea entered during a court hearing follows a series of jailhouse phone calls from Aldrich to The Associated Press expressing remorse and the intention to face the consequences for the shooting.Several survivors told the AP about the plea agreement after being approached about Aldrich’s comments to AP.

They said prosecutors had notified them that Aldrich, who is nonbinary and uses they and them pronouns, would plead guilty to charges that would ensure a sentence of life behind bars.Aldrich originally was charged with more than 300 state counts, including murder and hate crimes.