A drag queen who hosted a show hours before a deadly shooting at an LGBT+ nightclub in Colorado Springs has shared her horror at witnessing the attack.
Gunfire erupted at Club Q just before midnight on Saturday, leaving at least five dead and 18 injured.
A suspect identified as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich was taken into custody and hospitalised with undisclosed injuries.
The shooting took place during a drag show called “Delusions”, hosted by local performer Del Lusional.
The performer took to Twitter early Sunday morning to express shock.
“I never thought this would happen to me and my bar,” Del Lusional wrote in one tweet.
“I don’t know what to do with myself. I can’t stop hearing the shots.”
Another stated: “This doesn’t feel real. Like at all. Walking through the bar that I call my home and seeing it…… like that……
“I went from being so proud of myself for what I accomplished tonight, to…. This. I hate this so much. I hate this so f**king much.”
A third tweet added: “I feel so sick.”
Del Lusional offered a few additional details in the replies, telling one reporter: “I didn’t see anything. I was walking backstage when I heard the gunshots. I only saw the after math and even then, I didn’t wanna look.”
Another reply read: “I am physically safe.”
Later on, Del Lusional posted a tweet apparently aimed at the shooter which said they “took my f**king brother”.
The “Delusions” drag show began at 9pm and was set to finish at 2am, with guests 18 and older.
It is unclear whether the shooting was linked to the event but it has been described as a “hate attack”.
Club Q reacted to the tragedy in a Facebook post, writing: “Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community. Our prays and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends.
“We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.”
At an early morning press conference, police shared fears that the death toll could rise from five.
The investigation remains ongoing.
