Five people have been killed and at least 18 injured in a shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, USA.
In a statement, the club – Club Q – called the shooting a “hate attack” and said patrons overpowered the shooter.
It said: “Club Q is appalled by the senseless attack on our community.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We thank the heroic customers who responded quickly to subdue the shooter and put an end to this hateful attack.”
The initial call reporting the shooting came at 11:57 p.m. local time, Colorado Springs Police Lt. Pamela Castro said at a news conference.
Eleven ambulances and 34 firefighters were called to the scene in what was described as a “mass casualty incident”.
Lieutenant Castro said officers were able to enter the venue immediately and located a man they believed to be a suspect.
They are now in custody and being treated at a local hospital.
She declined to say which firearm was used in the shooting.
Police did not say how the suspect was stopped or a motive for the attack.
The area around the nightclub at the Suburban Mall in Colorado Springs is now closed.
The FBI is at the scene assisting with the investigation.
Colorado Springs Shooting
Club Q describes itself as an “adult gay nightclub with themed nights” including karaoke, drag shows and DJ sets.
At 9pm local time on Saturday night, after karaoke, a DJ set and dancing was listed as going on until 2am.
2016, Gunners Fire broke out at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killed 49 people before he was shot by police. More than 50 others were injured.
The 29-year-old gunman, Omar Mateen, is considered an act of terrorism and has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
At the time, it was the worst mass shooting in recent U.S. history.