‘Horrendous’: Malden Officials React To Colorado Springs Shooting

MALDEN, MA — Malden city officials reacted over the weekend to a mass shooting in Colorado Springs, CO that left five people dead as of initial reports on Sunday.

The city of Malden, in a statement, said its personnel “are devastated” by the attack, which took place at an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs.

“This senseless act of gun violence is horrendous,” Malden officials said. “Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives, with all those who were injured and with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

The shooting late Saturday night left 17 people injured after a 22-year-old gunman opened fire inside the Club Q facility, the Associated Press reported.

Investigators later found two guns, including what they described as a “long rifle” at the scene, according to the AP, citing Police Chief Adrian Vasquez.

Authorities were still looking into the gunman’s motive in this incident as of Monday morning, NPR reported.

Regardless, the shooting rattled the LGBTQ+ community, bringing back memories of the deadly mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in 2016, among other acts of violence. It also evoked memories of past mass shootings both within Colorado and the nation at large, as reported by the New York Times.

“Malden stands in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community and against all forms of hatred and bigotry,” the city of Malden said on Sunday.

The Malden Police Department weighed in separately on Sunday, with Chief Glenn Cronin and Civil Rights Officer/Lieutenant Mike Powell issuing a statement.

“The Malden Police Department would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the senseless violence perpetrated by a person who can only be defined as cowardly and evil,” officials said. “We stand with our LGBTQ community and express our thoughts and prayers to everyone in Colorado Springs who has been affected.”

Police noted patrons at the Club Q who, according to the Associated Press, subdued the attacker after he started shooting.

“We salute the brave patrons who acted, preventing further violence, for your bravery and determination to act in the face of danger, saving lives,” Malden Police officials said.

Comments this weekend came a matter of days after the Malden City Council last week approved a resolution condemning acts of antisemitism.

Malden Mayor Gary Christenson previously shared his own statement on the topic after an incident earlier this month in Stoneham where a resident found a set of paper swastikas left on their lawn.

Christenson, at the time, said officials had been in touch with local Jewish congregations and leaders in the area Jewish community to offer support.

The mayor said city police were also working to increase “safety measures” around Jewish congregations and the city’s annual Hanukkah Celebration.