DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ U.S. political violence driven by new breed of ‘grab-bag’ extremists
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +25 min

The incidents involve violence emanating from across the political spectrum, including dozens of cases of substantial property damage by leftists at political demonstrations. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump, didn’t respond to questions from Reuters about the former president’s remarks and the impact of his rhetoric. But those who study extremism say psychiatric problems alone rarely induce political violence. “How could I take care of a brother in arms if I couldn’t even take care of myself?” Aldrich told the court. In the summer of 2022, Aldrich told the group he wanted to build a website to “promote freedom of speech,” Arroyo said.

Persons: Anderson Lee Aldrich, ” Gilbert Arroyo, Aldrich, Arroyo, ” Arroyo, “, ” Aldrich, Ted Kaczynski, ”, Brian Hughes, Donald Trump, Michael Jensen, Trump, Mark Milley, Steven Cheung, Milley, Rory Banks, Banks, Jacob Ware, Jensen, Stephanie Clark, Ashley Paugh, Barack Obama wasn’t, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, John F, Kennedy, Matt Kriner, Troy Burke, Elwell, Burke, Jessica, Joe Biden, Sarah Huyser, John D, Cohen, Nathan Allen, Allen, Terence Delehanty, Audrey Mazzola, Allen texted Mazzola, Mazzola, Ramona Cooper, David Green, Green, “ Saint Nathan Allen, Aaron Brink, Brink, Aldrich’s, Laura Voepel, Carrie Thompson, Voepel, John Redgrave, Discord’s, ” Redgrave, “ Andy, ” Luke Simpson, Jonathan, Pamela Pullen, didn’t, Nick Brooks, Brooks, Pepe, Blacks, Simpson, ” Simpson, Michael Bowman, Joseph Archambault, Aldrich texted, Ned Parker, Peter Eisler, Joseph Tanfani, John Emerson, Paulo Prada Organizations: Reuters, Q, American University, Washington , D.C, ” Reuters, U.S, Capitol, Jan, Trump, University of Maryland’s, U.S . Joint Chiefs of Staff, ., Council, Foreign Relations, Republican, Middlebury College’s Center, Terrorism, Counterterrorism, Public Religion Research Institute, REUTERS, Central Intelligence Agency, U.S . Constitution, Department of Homeland Security, Facebook, ” Winthrop Police, Smith, Wesson, Air Force, SWAT, Prosecutors Locations: Colorado, Colorado Springs, Washington ,, United States, Nevada, Wheaton , California, Washington, Maryland, Vietnam, Mexico, mainstreaming, Monterey , California, Michigan, Gratiot County, U.S ., Winthrop , Massachusetts, California, Texas, San Diego, Ohio, Illinois, Australia, Florida, Buffalo , New York

El Paso County Court/Handout... Read moreJune 26 (Reuters) - A 23-year-old pleaded guilty on Monday to murder and other crimes in a 2022 shooting that killed five people at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs. Anderson Lee Aldrich faces life in prison without the possibility of parole after reaching an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to five first-degree murder counts and 46 attempted murder counts. On Nov. 19, 2022, Aldrich, wearing body armor, opened fire at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub. The deal with prosecutors called for Aldrich to be sentenced on Monday immediately following the guilty plea. Those killed in the shooting were identified as Aston, 28; Kelly Loving, 40; Derrick Rump, 38; Ashley Paugh, 34; and Raymond Green Vance, 22.

Persons: Anderson Lee Aldrich, Read, Aldrich, Jeff Aston, Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Derrick Rump, Ashley Paugh, Raymond Green Vance, Aldrich's, Joseph Ax, Rami Ayyub, Rich McKay, Grant McCool Organizations: Paso County Court, Q, U.S, Aston, El, El Paso County Sheriff’s, Thomson Locations: Colorado Springs , Colorado, Paso County, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Orlando , Florida, El Paso County

Anderson Lee Aldrich, 23, also pleaded guilty Monday morning to 46 counts of attempted murder in the first degree and no-contest to bias-motivated crimes in the November 19 massacre at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Aldrich also faces 46 consecutive 48-year sentences for each attempted murder count, the state judge said. Aldrich, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, was charged with more than 300 state counts, including murder, assault, attempted murder and hate crimes. Mourners created a memorial honoring the five victims killed at Club Q in the days after the shooting. Hyoung Chang/Denver Post/Getty ImagesMonday’s hearing in Colorado unfolded as Pride Month culminates amid increasing tension for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Persons: Anderson Lee Aldrich, Aldrich, Hyoung Chang, ” Organizations: Colorado Springs , Colorado CNN, Q, Prosecutors, Denver Post Locations: Colorado Springs , Colorado, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Orlando

☆ Fact Check-Majority of US mass shooters are cis men, not transgender or non-binary people
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Data collection on mass shootings varies by methodology, but experts told Reuters data shows the majority of mass shootings are carried out by cisgender men. One tweet said: “The Colorado Springs shooter identified as non binary. NOT THE MAJORITYCalculating exact percentages when it comes to mass shooting statistics in the U.S. varies by way of counting, as organizations define mass shootings in different ways. Its definition of mass shooting is four or more people shot resulting in injury or death (excluding the perpetrator). Most mass shootings or violent gun attacks in the U.S. carried are out by cisgender men.

Prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to proceed with their case against Anderson Lee Aldrich on all charges filed in the Nov. 19 shooting rampage at Club Q club in Colorado Springs, the El Paso County district judge ruled. Besides multiple counts of first-degree murder, Aldrich faces dozens of counts of attempted murder and assault, as well as hate-crimes charges alleging the attack was motivated by prejudice against victims' sexual or gender identities. Thursday's ruling capped a two-day preliminary hearing in which prosecutors outlined their case for trying Aldrich on all charges. A hand-sketched map of Club Q was also found in a search of the defendant's home, Gasper said. Two patrons with military training subdued Aldrich and held the suspect until police arrived, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

☆ Accused Colorado LGBTQ club shooter back in court for preliminary hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Keith Coffman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

One of the men pistol-whipped Aldrich as others pummeled the accused assailant, leaving the suspect with multiple injuries that required hospitalization. Aldrich's lawyers have asserted in court filings that their client identifies as "non-binary" in gender and prefers them/they pronouns. At a previous court hearing, a defense lawyer intimated that Aldrich may have been in the club previously, including on the night of the massacre. El Paso County District Judge Michael McHenry was assigned to preside over the preliminary hearing, which was scheduled to run for three days, according to the court docket. The Q nightclub shooting is not the defendant's first brush with the law.

☆ A British youth working from a bedroom at his grandfather's house made 'slick videos' that could have inspired 2 US mass shooters, a court heard
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Far-right videos made by a British teen were viewed by two men who went on to commit mass shootings. The court previously heard that his videos had been viewed by two men who went on to commit mass murders in the US last year. Payton Gendron, the then-18-year-old mass shooter who killed 10 Black people in Buffalo, New York, last May, was known to have watched Harris' videos. The Buffalo shooter commented on a video made by Harris about the perpetrator behind the 2019 mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, The Guardian reported. The Buffalo shooter responded: "You are not alone my friend."

☆ Judge warned that suspect in Colorado Club Q shooting could be planning violence
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Dennis Romero | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The judge in a 2021 kidnapping case against the man accused in last month's deadly rampage at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ club had warned that the suspected shooter could be planning violence. "Wow," the judge said of the alleged plans for violence. Officials said that on June 18, 2021, Aldrich allegedly pointed a gun at and threatened to kill relatives. District Attorney Michael Allen said at a news conference last week the 2021 case was dependent on victims' testimony that was unlikely to materialize. At a 2021 hearing, Chittum expressed alarm at Aldrich's behavior and suggested the suspect planned more mayhem.

☆ House Oversight Committee to host Club Q shooting survivors in hearing on anti-LGBTQ threats
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ali-Vitali-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Ali Vitali | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — Less than a month after a deadly shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, the House Oversight Committee will host survivors for a hearing on violence and threats against LGBTQ people, NBC News has learned. The Dec. 14 hearing will include testimony from bartender Michael Anderson and from James Slaugh, both of whom survived the Club Q shooting, as well as the club’s founding partner and co-owner Matthew Haynes, the committee told NBC News. The panel will also hear from Brandon Wolf, who survived the 2016 shooting at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, where a gunman killed 49 people. In November, a gunman opened fire at Club Q with a semiautomatic rifle, killing five people and injuring 17 others. “These attacks, like the one at Club Q, are designed to scare us from living authentically and honestly," he said.

☆ Why extremism experts say it's worth discussing the Colorado shooting suspect's pronouns
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

Attorneys for the alleged gunman in the deadly shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado said in court filings the suspect is nonbinary and uses “they” and “them” pronouns. In court appearances this week, Aldrich’s lawyers and District Attorney Michael Allen used he/him pronouns for Aldrich, but Aldrich’s attorneys referred to their client as “Mx. It’s unclear whether the public defenders were accidentally using he/him pronouns for Aldrich, and their office has not returned a request for comment. A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office said, regarding the suspect’s pronouns, “The defendant will be identified as the defendant throughout proceedings,” but declined to comment further on both legal teams using he/him pronouns for Aldrich in court. Holt said the response from Carlson is another part of why he believes it’s worth questioning the suspect’s claim.

A bomb threat case against the suspect in the Club Q shooting went nowhere last year because the relatives declined to testify, Colorado authorities said Thursday. “The only way that it [the bomb threat case] would have prevented the [Club Q] tragedy is if the witnesses actually were present at trial, testified and somebody was convicted," Allen told reporters. That day, Aldrich’s grandmother said they had been living in fear, according to the affidavit. "It would not have prevented the Club Q shooting." Two weapons were seized from Aldrich at the time of the bomb threat arrest, Allen said.

☆ Colorado shooting suspect's previous case dismissed for lack of witnesses, records show
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Keith Coffman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A person looks on at the flowers and mementos left at a memorial at Club Q after a mass shooting at the LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. November 26, 2022. Allen said he wanted to counter what he called a "false narrative" about the 2021 case suggesting authorities did not pursue it or missed an opportunity to prevent the deadly shooting nearly three weeks ago. At Thursday's news conference, Allen said that after initially giving statements implicating Aldrich in the 2021 case, Aldrich's mother and grandparents testified on the suspect's behalf for a bail reduction. After the alleged victims declined to testify for the prosecution, the judge threw out the case, Allen said. A different rifle and handgun were recovered from the Club Q shooting.

☆ Club Q shooting suspect opened fire immediately, claimed to have been awake for days, affidavit says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Phil-Helsel-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Phil Helsel | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The suspect accused of killing five people in an attack on a Colorado LGBTQ club opened fire almost immediately after arriving and later claimed to not have slept for days, police said in an affidavit released Wednesday. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, was charged Tuesday with 305 criminal counts, including murder and hate crimes, in the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs just before midnight Nov. 19. Aldrich was taken down by bystanders, stopping the attack, officials and witnesses have said. A further 17 people were injured by gunfire, and five others had physical injuries from other causes, officials have said. The charges against Aldrich include first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and bias-motivated crimes.

☆ F.B.I. asking about videos and racist website in connection with Colorado shooting
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

The former neighbor, Xavier Kraus, said an FBI agent asked him about the two websites at an FBI field office in Colorado Springs last Thursday afternoon after an agent called him earlier that day. The website allegedly created by Aldrich is a forum-type “free speech” site where people have anonymously posted racist and antisemitic memes, language and videos. The videos appear to have gone up from 9:28 p.m. to 11:43 p.m. local time on the night of the shooting. Kraus said the agents asked whether Aldrich posted the “Wrong Targets” video on the homepage. After listening to the voice in the videos, Kraus said it “sounds very, very similar” to Aldrich, but he could not confirm this with certainty.

The suspect in last month's deadly rampage at a Colorado LGBTQ nightclub was charged Tuesday with 305 criminal counts in what could be the most heavily prosecuted murder case in state history, authorities said. The 305 charges filed in court include first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and bias-motivated crimes, District Attorney Michael Allen told the court. Allen said he couldn't recall a murder trial with so many counts. "But there could be others out there that I’m just not thinking of right now.”Lawyers on both sides asked the judge to schedule Aldrich's preliminary hearing for May. But 4th Judicial District Judge Michael McHenry insisted the hearing can start sooner and ordered both sides to be ready on Feb. 22 for a preliminary hearing he expected to last two days.

☆ Alleged Colorado Springs Shooter Charged With 305 Criminal Counts
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Alicia A. Caldwell | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The person accused of killing five and injuring 19 others in a mass shooting at an LGBT nightclub last month was formally charged with 305 criminal counts, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault and crimes of bias, Colorado prosecutors said in court Tuesday. Anderson Lee Aldrich , who according to court documents identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronouns “they” and “them,” is accused of opening fire inside Club Q just before midnight on Nov. 19. Prosecutors said during Mx. Aldrich’s second court appearance that the charges could be amended as more victims are identified.

☆ Colorado suspect set to be charged for LGBTQ club shooting that killed five
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Keith Coffman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Flowers, candles, and mementos are left at a memorial after a mass shooting at LGBTQ nightclub Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. November 26, 2022. DowningDENVER, Dec 6 (Reuters) - The suspect in the fatal shooting of five people in a Colorado LGBTQ nightclub last month is set to be formally charged on Tuesday, potentially facing dozens of counts including murder, attempted murder, assault and hate crimes. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, has been held without bond at the El Paso County jail stemming from the Nov. 19 rampage at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Although authorities have not publicly identified a motive, the Colorado shooting was reminiscent of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florid, where a gunman killed 49 people before police shot him dead. If convicted of first-degree murder, Aldrich faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

☆ Colorado Springs shooting suspect's mother accused of disorderly conduct hours after Club Q attack
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The mother of the suspect in the deadly rampage at a Colorado Springs, Colorado, LGBTQ club was issued a summons for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest hours after the attack, police said. Officers showed up at Laura Voepel’s home after authorities say Anderson Lee Aldrich opened fire inside Club Q, killing five people. No lawyer information was listed for Voepel, whose arraignment is set for Jan. 25, 2023, court records show. In addition to the five deaths, 17 people were wounded in the Club Q shooting, according to police. Weeks before turning 16, Aldrich petitioned a Texas court for a name change, court records show.

☆ Colorado governor visits shooting site as community heals
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In a crowded brewery, Colorado Gov. Fierro squeezed Wyatt Kent, a drag queen whose 23rd birthday was being celebrated the night of the shooting, and chatted with his family. Club Q’s community had been a steadfast support network, said Kent, one which has continued to undergird the community’s healing since the tragedy. “If I pour myself out into others they will pour themselves out back into me,” said Kent, “and that’s what this community has always done.”The broader Colorado Springs community is pouring out support for the survivors, too. “Club Q will be back and the community will be back,” he said.

The number of people injured in a shooting attack at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been increased by four, police said Monday. The number of those killed and shot — five dead and 17 shot and injured — in the Nov. 19 shooting at Club Q remained unchanged in the latest update. But police said the number of identified victims who were injured but who were not shot has increased from one to five. More people were at Club Q when the gunman, identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, opened fire minutes before midnight, police said in a statement. Autopsies have been conducted, and the El Paso County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death, the statement said.

☆ Fact Check-Altered screenshot of California politician Randy Voepel sending ‘thoughts and prayers’ attributed to Colorado shooting on Nov. 19
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But social media users are sharing a screenshot of a tweet by Voepel and misleadingly linking it to a shooting in Colorado on Nov. 19. Users online are sharing an image that purports to show Voepel tweeting, “Sending my thoughts and prayers” following the Colorado Springs shooting. Reuters reports on the Nov. 19 Colorado Springs shooting at Club Q and the suspect, Anderson Lee Aldrich, can be seen (here) and (here). Representatives for Voepel, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Springs PD, FBI Denver Field Office and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment. There is no record of Voepel tweeting “Sending my thoughts and prayers” after the shooting in Colorado Springs.

☆ Man who helped stop the Colorado LGBTQ club shooting says he did it for 'family'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Dennis Romero | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A second man who helped put an end to the deadly mass shooting in Colorado this month broke his silence Sunday, describing his actions as a defense of "family" at the LGBTQ nightclub and beyond. James, who has been stabilized at Centura Health's Penrose Hospital, subdued the suspect, helped disarm him and held him for authorities alongside decorated Army veteran Richard Fierro, 45, of Colorado Springs, Fierro and authorities said. Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez described Fierro and James at a news conference the day after the attack as "the two heroes who intervened inside of Club Q." James said nearly the same thing in his statement Sunday, but his definition of family seemed to be more inclusive. "Thankfully, we are family, and family looks after one another," he said.

☆ Just like Richard Fierro in Colorado Springs, data shows that 64 unarmed civilians have apprehended the gunman in mass shootings since 2000
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Army veteran Richard Fierro apprehended the gunman in the Colorado Springs shooting last week. He now joins a small group of unarmed civilians who have stopped shooters before police arrived. What Fierro did that night has placed him in a group of unarmed civilians who have successfully apprehended gunmen in mass shootings. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security recommends that civilians attempt to take down a gunman if they're close by, like Fierro did. So far this year, the US has recorded 609 multiple-victim shootings — nearly double the number from five years ago.

☆ Biden says he'll renew push for assault weapons ban following spate of mass shootings
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Peter Nicholas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Thursday he would make a renewed effort to enact a ban on assault-style rifles following a wave of mass shootings that have again put a spotlight on the nation's gun control laws. "The idea that we still allow semi-automatic weapons to be purchased is sick," he said while greeting firefighters in Nantucket, where he and his family are spending the Thanksgiving holiday. The Democratic-controlled House passed a ban in July, in a vote largely along party lines. Patrons prevented more deaths by confronting and disarming the suspect, identified by officials as Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22. The weapon used was in the style of a Colt AR-15, according to Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez.

☆ Photos this week: November 17-24, 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Leia-jhene Seals hugs R.J. Lewis during a vigil Sunday, November 20, at the All Souls Unitarian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Seals was performing the night before when a shooter opened fire in the Club Q nightclub. Five people were killed and at least 19 others were injured during a mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Authorities say the suspect, identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, received medical treatment and is now in the custody of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

Search resuls for: "Anderson Lee Aldrich"

25 mentions found