“Heroic people” confronted a gunman at a gay nightclub in Colorado and stopped him from killing more people, police said.
Five people were killed and at least 18 were injured at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
The suspect has been named Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, who was taken into custody and treated for injuries.
At a news conference, officers said the gunman used a “long rifle” and began shooting as soon as he entered the compound.
Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said, “At least two heroic individuals inside the club confronted and fought the suspect and were able to stop the suspect from continuing to kill and harm others.
“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”
John Suthers, the mayor of Colorado Springs, said his actions “clearly saved lives.”
At least two firearms were found at the scene and the FBI is assisting with the investigation, Vasquez said.
Officers are working to identify those who died and to determine if anyone helped the suspect.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who is openly gay, praised the “brave people who stopped the gunman,” calling the attack “horrific, sickening and devastating.”
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0:23 Five people have been shot dead at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs
The site called the shooting a “hate attack.” He said: “The Q Club is devastated by the senseless attack on our community.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We appreciate the quick reactions of the heroic customers who subdued the gunman and put an end to this hateful attack.”
The initial phone call reporting the shooting came in at 11:57 p.m. local time, Colorado Springs police Lt. Pamela Castro said.
Eleven ambulances and 34 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and the incident was described as “a mass casualty event”.
Lt. Castro said officers were able to immediately enter the club and located the suspect.
The area around the nightclub, located in a strip mall outside Colorado Springs, has been cordoned off.
Image: Colorado Springs shooting
Club Q describes itself as an “adult-oriented gay and lesbian nightclub that hosts themed nights,” with events including karaoke, drag shows and DJ sets.
Starting at 21:00 local time on Saturday night, after the karaoke, a DJ set and dancing was scheduled to continue until 2 in the morning.
In 2016, a gunman opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people before police shot him dead. More than 50 other people were also injured.
Treated as an act of terrorism, shooter Omar Mateen, 29, had claimed allegiance to the Islamic State.
At the time it was the worst mass shooting in recent US history.