Colorado Springs: How a Patron Disarmed a Nightclub Gunman

Colorado Springs, Colorado –

When Rich Fierro, a U.S. military veteran, noticed a gunman spraying bullets inside a club where he was gathering with friends and family, his military training instincts quickly kicked in.

First, he dived in to fend off a potential attack, then attempted to disarm the shooter.

“It’s a reflex. Go! Go to the fire. Stop the action. Stop the activity. Don’t hurt anyone. I tried to bring everyone back,” he said outside his home on Monday.

Fierro is one of two men police believe saved his life Saturday night by subduing a 22-year-old gunman who went on a rampage at Club Q, a prominent gathering place for the LGBTQ2S+ community in Colorado Springs. I’m a person.

Fierro celebrated her birthday by watching a drag show with her daughter Cathy, her boyfriend, and a few other friends. He said he had one of the most fun nights in the group until filming began.

Fierro told reporters that once his instincts kicked in, he and another man approached the shooter. A man, Thomas James, started kicking him. He also told James to kick off his AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle at the shooter.

When the performers who were there for the drag show passed by, Fiero told them to kick the gunman.

“I love them,” Fierro said of the city’s LGBTQ2S+ community. “I have nothing but love.”

Fierro and James, little-known as of Monday evening, immobilized the shooter until officers arrived minutes later.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vazquez said Monday that Fierro acted courageously.

“I have never met anyone so humble and heroic,” Vazquez said. “He just told me, ‘He was trying to protect his family.'” rice field.

Five people were killed and at least 17 injured in the shooting. The suspect, who is said to be in possession of multiple guns and an additional ammunition rack, faces murder and hate crime charges.

Fierro’s wife, Jess, said via Facebook that her husband had bruised his right side and injured his hand, knee and ankle. I wrote it on the Beer Co. page.

Although his actions saved lives, Fierro said the deaths of five people, including his daughter’s boyfriend, Raymond Green Vance, were a tragedy, both personally and for the wider community.

“There are five people I couldn’t help. One of them was my family,” he said, as his brother placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Fierro said he doesn’t remember whether he reacted when the shooter yelled and struggled to subdue him, but he thought about their next interaction.

“I’m going to meet the man in court,” said Fierro. “And the man will see who did him.”

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The Mets reported from Salt Lake City. Contributed by Associated Press reporter Jamie Stengle in Dallas.