(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Tuesday, Nov. 19 marked two years since the tragic Club Q mass shooting that took the lives of five people, and changed the lives of so many others.
Ashley Paugh, Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Raymond Green Vance, and Kelly Loving were killed when the gunman opened fire in the nightclub that night in 2022, and dozens of others were injured. Two years later the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado Springs is still healing from the loss, after their safe space was turned into the sign of a mass shooting.
“Thank you for being here. You know, if people would just take the time to get to know each other, there will be a lot less hate and misunderstanding in the world,” said Jeff Aston, father of Daniel Aston.
That community came together on the two-year mark for a candlelight vigil at the site of the attack on Tuesday evening.
“I flew 2,000 miles to be here because I would rather be here with my people and my community and my friends and my family to share in our grief and our healing,” said Nikki Partlow-Loyall, a grieving friend.
Antonio Taylor spent the beginning of the vigil dancing in front of the memorials to show them strength in the community, “I just think that they see a lot of the tears, they see a lot of the hurt which is valid, that our community’s grieving and we always will be at this time of year. But they also need to know that we’re strong and we’re resilient and we’re still alive and kicking for them,” said Taylor.
People held candles and gave flowers to the memorials as hundreds of people joined in grievance. It was an emotional night for the community, some people told FOX21 NEWS, that each year it only seems to get harder.
“I mean, really I’m just giving myself time to grieve and remember the date. I’m remembering the boys. I have a little ritual for myself with cigarettes that I always puff three times at the end [of the cigarette] one for me, one for Daniel, one for Derrick, just kind of little rituals like that,” added Taylor.
The vigil was hosted by Club Q owner Matthew Haynes. Survivors and family members of victims spoke at the event and held a moment of silence and reflection. Among those speaking was Daniel Aston’s parents Jeff and Sabrina Aston. Their son Daniel was working as the bartender the night of the shooting and was among those killed that night.
“We’re so sad to find out about all five that had perished and so many people have been injured that, you know, they don’t talk about it. But, you know, we know they’ve had a lot of issues going on, trying to get through it. But this community has been so supportive for us and we appreciate it so much,” said Sabrina Aston.
Jeff Aston expressed the same feeling and thanked the community for their support. “This community has been so supportive for us and we appreciate it so much,” Jeff added.
It was a somber night, and while it was healing for some, it also reopened wounds for others.
After the vigil, many organizations hosted events to offer additional resources. The Q at the Satellite Hotel hosted a night of resilience and strength, a community gathering from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Prism Community Collective also extended its hours from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 19 and 20 for an opportunity to connect with others and find additional support.
