COLORADO SPRINGS — A candlelight vigil was held on campus at UCCS on Monday night to bring students together and remember and honor the five victims who lost their lives during the Club Q shooting.
Students organized the vigil, and a few speakers shared words of anger and sadness, but they also shared why it's so important to come together as a community after a tragedy.
“I am quite angry, but this is unfortunately not a surprise that this happened,” said Grace Gracia, a fifth year UCCS student. News5 met up with Garcia a few days after the shooting. “I’m doing okay, and we'll all get through this with me and the community.”
Garcia is also part of the LGBTQ+ community. After the Club Q shooting, Garcia has spent time in the Mosaic and LGBTQ+ Resource Center on campus.
“The Mosaic office has always been a safe space,” said Garcia.
The center has been a safe space for students to go in the past week to support one another. There have been support groups, and students have also made cards and posters to support other after the shooting.
Students who use the LGBTQ+ Resource Center also organized Monday's candlelight vigil. At the vigil, students held lit candles, plus there were several speaks and also a moment of silence to remember the five victims of the shooting. Many shared words of affirmation and reassurance.
‘I think it's been really beneficial to get into being able to just talk about what is happening, not having to be isolated or alone in the processing but to do that collective processing,” said Hadley.
Hadley, the center's director, spoke of the importance of being together and how the Mosaic and LGBTQ+ Resource Center helps others during a time like this.
“It’s important for us to continue to stand. It's important for us to be able to openly have this garage door up, to show that you are still welcome here,” said Hadley.
The cards and posters made at the center will go to the memorial at Club Q, victims of the shooting, and posters will also be spread across campus. It’s to let others know they have outpouring support.
“Despite all the things that have happened over there, they still have a community that will and can support them,” said Garcia.
UCCS is still offering resources and events for students impacted by the Club Q shooting. The UCCS Wellness Center and Care Team are also helping those who need it.
The vigil took place Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mosaic, 4775 Centennial Blvd #150. Keep Colorado Springs Queer will be hostedthe vigil. Those interested in participating were asked to email tspence3@uccs.edu.
On Saturday, November 19, 2022, 5 people were killed in a mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
Daniel Davis Aston
The 28-year-old was working as a bartender late Saturday night when a gunman opened fire inside the club. Aston moved to Colorado Springs a few years ago and began working at Club Q. We are told he was the baby of the club but he lit up the room when he walked in.
Derrick Rump
Loved ones have confirmed Derrick Rump as one of the victims in the shooting. He was 38 years old and worked as a bartender at Club Q. His friends tell us Derrick was "A really good person, genuine, kind, and welcome.”
They continued to tell us Rump was the face of Club Q and had been working there for many years. Rump always took care of and protected everyone in it.
Ashley Paugh
Paugh’s sister told NBC News the 35-year-old was a loving mother and wife, devoted to her 11-year-old daughter, Ryleigh who is a championship swimmer. According to the sister, Ashley traveled from La Junta to Colorado Springs to spend the day shopping with a friend, they stopped at Club Q to see a performance by a comedian.
In a statement from Ashley's family made by Kurt Paugh, Ashley's husband, they detailed her life, love of family, and dedication to being of service to others.
Kurt Paugh met Ashley when they were in high school and since then have been high school sweethearts.
Ashley was a woman of service in the community of La Junta. Her dedication to others was exemplified through her work at the nonprofit Kids Crossing which helps kids find loving foster homes all over Southern Colorado.
Ashley was an ally of the LGBTQ community as she was instrumental in helping LGBTQ couples find foster children to bring into their families.
During the holiday season, Ashley was one of the organizers that would provide foster children and their foster families with Christmas trees to make their holidays better.
In addition to Ashley's instrumental service within the La Junta community and the larger Southern Colorado community, Ashley was an avid hiker, and fisher, and overall loved being in the Colorado outdoors.
Kelly Loving
Kelly Loving was confirmed as one of the victims in the Club Q shooting in a press conference that the Colorado Springs Police Department held on Monday afternoon.
In a statement from Kelly Loving's sister, she stated, “My condolences go out to all the families who lost someone in this tragic event, and to everyone 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."
Raymond Green Vance
In a statement from the family of Raymond Green Vance, they detailed his life and his love for those around him.
Raymond, who was 22-years-old, was an ally of the LGBTQ community. He was a kind and selfless young adult. Raymond was described as gifted, one-of-a-kind, and willing to go out of his way for anyone by his closest friend.
A 2018 graduate of Sand Creek High School, Raymond had just started a new job at a Colorado Springs, FedEx distribution center.
Raymond spent most of his spare time with his girlfriend, who he had been with since middle school.
Along with spending time with his girlfriend, Raymond loved playing video games. He hoped that this hobby would one day turn into an online career.
The City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Police Department, advocacy groups, and outreach groups have listed several resources and services for the Colorado Springs community and anyone affected by the Club Q shooting to seek help.
Many of these resources are being offered pro bono and may not cost anything to you, be sure to check with the service provider though.
For the City's extensive list of resources, you can click here.
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