Vandals defaced a sign at Focus on the Family (FOTF) headquarters on Thanksgiving Day, less than a week after a shooter murdered five people and wounded at least 19 others at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Graffiti on the sign accused FOTF of being responsible for the five deaths.
“Their blood is on your hands,” said the graffiti. “Five lives taken.”
Focus on the Family headquarters sign targeted by vandals https://t.co/YiYVvkUQOD pic.twitter.com/0ulrARl0Mk
— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) November 25, 2022
RELATED: ‘Love the Sinner, Hate Our Sin’: Church Responds to LGBTQ Nightclub Mass Shooting
Focus on the Family Responds to Vandalism After Shooting Devastates City
Just before midnight on Saturday, Nov. 19, a shooter attacked patrons of Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, before two people, including an Army veteran, stopped the individual. The shooter has since been identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22.
The deceased have been identified as Daniel Aston (28), Kelly Loving (40), Ashley Paugh (35), Derrick Rump (38) and Raymond Green Vance (22). Reports on the number of people injured vary; some put the number as high as 25.
Alderich was previously arrested in 2021. A press release from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office records the suspect was booked on two counts of felony menacing and three counts of first-degree kidnapping. It is not clear how that case was resolved, although Alderich reportedly contacted The Colorado Springs Gazette in August, saying that the case was dropped and asking for a story about it to be removed.
The Associated Press reports that Alderich identifies as non-binary and uses “they/them” pronouns. The suspect is identified in court documents as “Mx. Alderich.” Prosecutors have not yet formally charged Alderich, but the suspect faces murder and hate crime charges.
In a statement on social media Nov. 20, the nightclub said, “Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community. Our prays [sic] and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.” The club said that those who wished to support the victims of the shooting can do so here.
Colorado governor Jared Polis, the U.S.’s first openly gay governor, and President Joe Biden issued statements expressing support for the LGTBQ community and condemning the violence.
Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry widely known for its stance that marriage is between one man and one woman, condemned the violence as well.
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