The gunman who opened fire inside an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado was stopped by two "heroic" people inside the club, police told a press conference today.
Five people were killed and 25 others were injured in the shooting at Club Q, police said.
Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich.
The suspect entered the nightclub and "immediately began shooting at people inside... At least two heroic people inside the club confronted and fought with the suspect and were able to stop the suspect from continuing to kill and harm others," police chief Adrian Vasquez told a press conference.
Police also said they believed the suspect, who is now in custody, was armed with a long rifle.
Police got the initial phone call just before midnight about the shooting. Upon arrival, officers located one person who was believed to be the suspect inside the club.
In its Google listing, Club Q describes itself as an "adult-oriented gay and lesbian nightclub hosting theme nights such as karaoke, drag shows & DJs".
On its Facebook page, a statement from Club Q said it was "devastated by the senseless attack on our community ... We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack".
Images of the scene after the shooting showed security and emergency vehicles with flashing blinkers parked on a street near the venue.
By 4am (11am Irish time), police had taped off the area around the club, which is located in a strip mall on the outskirts of Colorado Springs.
In 2016, a gunman killed 49 people at gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, before he was shot dead by police.
At the time it was the worst mass shooting in recent US history.
The gunman had claimed allegiance to a leader of Islamic State. He was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.
