“Moments that change us”: Local leaders respond to Club Q shooter’s federal sentencing

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Tuesday, June 18, a Colorado District Court sentenced the Club Q shooter to 190 years, plus 55 life terms after the shooter entered a guilty plea to federal hate crimes and gun charges.

Local Colorado Springs leaders responded on Tuesday, expressing relief at the next step in the search for justice, but remorse that the loss will forever be felt in this community.

Mayor Yemi Mobolade responded on social media, thanking the judicial officials who took the steps to ensure justice is served.

The mayor gave his heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado for bringing further justice for the victims of the Club Q shooting and their families, saying, “It is important that we take a strong stance against hate. And that’s what happened in the courtroom today.”

Mayor Mobolade went on to say that while the community is still healing from the unnecessary act of violence that took place on Nov. 19, 2022, Colorado Springs is a resilient community.

“I pray with today’s sentencing, we take another step towards healing,” he said. “And may we always remember Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, Derrick Rump, and Raymond Green Vance.”

The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s (DA) Office also responded, with strong words from DA Michael Allen, who prosecuted the shooter on the state level.

“There are moments that change us, and as we move forward, we know we’ll never be the same,” said DA Allen. “The instant this shooter decided to carry out a pre-meditated, hate-fueled attack and kill multiple, innocent people at a space created as a safe haven for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs was one of those moments.”

While Allen praised the sentence and what it represents in the search for justice, he still argues that no amount of punishment for the shooter will ever heal the wound inflicted on the Colorado Springs community and the loved ones of the victims.

“The federal sentence, which adds significant time to the sentence the defendant is already serving in connection to the state case, does not do enough,” said Allen. “The law cannot fully repair the loss to our city and community suffered on November 19, 2022. We can, though, stand against hate. Hate directed towards marginalized communities will not be tolerated and that’s what the combined sentences tell the world. Together, we’ve held the shooter fully accountable under the law for the evil he brought with him into Club Q.”

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