5 dead identified in shootout at Colorado LGBTQ+ nightclub

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — Five victims killed in a shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs Saturday night were identified Monday.

Colorado Springs Police Department identified the following as the victims who died:

• Daniel Aston (he/him)
• Kelly Loving (she/her)
• Ashley Paugh (she/her)
• Derrick Rump (he/him)
• Raymond Green Vance (he/him)

On a typical night at Club Q, a bastion for LGBTQ people in the largely conservative town of Colorado Springs, Daniel Aston could be seen letting go and scooting across the stage on his knees to cheer and roar.

The venue offered Aston, a 28-year-old transgender man and self-proclaimed “Master of Silly Business,” the liberating performances he had long been looking for. But on Saturday it became the site of the last mass shooting in the US when a shooter with a semi-automatic rifle opened fire, killing Aston and four others. 25 others were injured.

His mother, Sabrina Aston, vacillated between past and present as she discussed her son at their home in Colorado Springs on Sunday night. Aston’s father, Jeff Aston, sat nearby and listened to his wife’s stories while alternately crossing his hands and laying his forehead.

“We’re in shock, we cried a little bit, but then you go through that phase where you’re just kind of numb and I’m sure it’s going to hit us again,” she said. “I always think it’s a mistake, they made a mistake and that he’s really alive,” she added.

TIED TOGETHER: “Master of Silly Business” Among 5 Dead in Colorado Shooting

Tiffany Loving, Kelly’s sister, released the following statement:

“My condolences to all the families who lost someone in this tragic event and to all who are struggling to be accepted in this world. My sister was a good person. She was loving and caring and sweet. Everyone loved her. Kelly was a wonderful person.”

Kurt Paugh, Ashley’s husband, released the following statement on behalf of her family:

“We are absolutely devastated by the loss of Ashley. She meant everything to this family and we can’t even begin to understand what it will mean not to have her in our lives.

“Ashley was a loving woman — she was my high school sweetheart — and she was just an amazing mom. Her daughter was her whole world and she was so proud of Ryleigh who is a championship swimmer. She loved her father, her sister, and her family; Ashley was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews who are devastated by their loss.

“She had a big heart. I know Ashley has taken care of so many people. She has helped so many people through her work at Kids Crossing, a non-profit organization that helps find loving homes for foster children. She would do anything for the children — she would travel all across Southeast Colorado, from Pueblo and Colorado Springs to Fremont County and the Colorado border, to raise awareness and encourage individuals and families to be foster parents for children in our to become a church. This included working with the LGBTQ community to find welcoming foster homes for children. During the holidays, Ashley organized tree gift giving and supplied them to businesses so foster children could have happier holidays — and in fact, last week she started making trees to give away by courting Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

“In addition to her family and making a difference in the community, Ashley loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and quad biking.”

The following statement was released on behalf of Vance’s family:

“On November 19, 2022, Raymond Green Vance went to Club Q to enjoy a show with his longtime girlfriend, her parents, and her parents’ friends; they were celebrating a birthday. The 22-year-old has never been to the nightclub before, and while he supports the LGBTQ community, he’s not a member himself. Unfortunately, he never left the club. Raymond was the victim of a man who, with family and friends, used terror on innocent people. His own family and friends are devastated by the sudden loss of a son, grandson, brother, nephew and cousin loved by so many.

“Raymond was a kind, selfless young adult with his whole life ahead of him. His closest friend describes him as gifted, unique and willing to do anything to help anyone. He’d just gotten a new job at a FedEx distribution center in Colorado Springs and was looking forward to his first paycheck. He couldn’t wait to save up enough money to get his own apartment, but in the meantime he lived with his mother and younger brother, who adored him.

“Raymond was born in Chicago (and has siblings who live there) but has lived his entire life in Colorado Springs. He was a 2018 graduate of Sand Creek High School, where his mother describes him as a popular, popular young man who never got into trouble and had many friends. Raymond spent most of his free time with his girlfriend (whom he had been with since middle school) playing video games, which was his favorite hobby and something he hoped to turn into an online career.

“Raymond grew up surrounded by cousins ​​who he was very close to, and she and the rest of his close-knit family are still trying to come to terms with the fact that he’s gone. His absence will leave countless lives with irreparable grief.”

TIED TOGETHER: Raymond Green Vance described him as kind, selfless and gifted

TIED TOGETHER: Murder, biased crime charges recommended for LGBTQ+ nightclub shooting suspects

TIED TOGETHER: How to donate to victims of the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs

Club Q, the LGBTQ+ nightclub where the attack took place, announced an official government fundraising page on Sunday to help victims.

Some fundraising sites were launched early Sunday to support victims, but Club Q made the announcement Sunday afternoon Colorado Healing Fund was the official page for donations.

Here is the message from the official donation page:

The Board of Trustees of the Colorado Healing Fund (CHF) has activated the fund to begin fundraising and providing funds at Club Q in response to last night’s mass shooting in Colorado Springs. The CHF is chaired by former Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman and led by Coloradans who have extensive experience working with mass violence incidents, including former Columbine High School principal Frank DeAngelis. The CHF provides the safest way for people to donate in times of mass criminal tragedy, ensuring funds benefit the families of the deceased, survivors and those directly affected, and support the long-term recovery of the community.

TIED TOGETHER: Coloradans honor victims of Club Q shootings with memorials and vigils

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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