(Originally published on Newsmax.)
Out of curiosity, this writer decided to take a look at the number of active shooter events that have taken place this year. And, shockingly enough, there are hundreds.
That’s right, we’ve had hundreds of instances in which someone has managed to injure and, in many cases, kill innocent people. Why is unclear, but the real question is what drives these people to do such a thing. Sadly, it comes down to one simple thing — hate.
In the face of what took place at Club Q in Colorado Springs Sunday night where five people were killed and more than 25 others were injured before the suspect was subdued and arrested, that term now seems to be coming front and center.
Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, has been charged with killing five, as well as five counts of what are being labeled “hate crimes.”
But isn’t all crime hate? Think about it.
It’s motivated by perpetrators that have some sort of act of vengeance or “being wronged” on them, or they simply feel that taking out their actions on others — and possibly even themselves — seems to be the only answer.
That in itself makes it an act of hate. That drives a lot of these criminals as of late.
They could hate the situation they’re in — and with the state of inflation being the way it is, that’s a lot easier than you might think.
They could hate someone for what they did against them, because, let’s be honest, there are people out there that are totally like that, not minding whom they stomp on to get ahead.
And then there’s hating a certain kind of people like the way the “defund the police” mobs can’t stand anyone in police uniform. Never mind certain officers in their district or people they answer to — it’s much easier to hate anyone.
The Club Q shooting also falls in this category, as Aldrich might have had some level of hatred for the LGBTQ community— just as, sadly, some people in this country do.
But it leaves a powerful effect.
People hate something so much that they can’t stand living with the pain.
Or simply don’t have another way to release it, other than getting their hands on a weapon and acting out against others. It’s a sad thing to see, especially considering that, with a little bit of effort, it could’ve been avoided.
Case in point: Last spring, on June 18, 2021, Aldrich was arrested for threatening (according to his mother) threatening her with a homemade bomb. Aldrich actually held off police in a standoff following the threat before surrendering.
Right then and there: warning signs that something’s wrong.
But instead of investigating further and actually keeping tabs on Aldrich, the district attorney’s office refused to press charges and let him walk free.
As a result, his files were sealed and there was no record of the incident — a record, I assure you, that investigators would’ve kept tabs on if they were allowed access.
But now it’s too late.
Someone with hatred in their heart kept it since last summer after threatening his own mother. Now, as a result, five people will never be able to return to their families; 25 are injured and healing the best that they can; and a community that celebrates life in its own way is shaken to their core.
Hate is an ugly thing. It’s a component of every crime you see.
Obviously, more tragic events like the one that took place in Club Q should remind us just how bad it really gets. My hope is that President Joe Biden and his administration take a closer look at these hate crimes (and yes, that’s what they are) and figure out a more effective solution.
Here’s hoping we get to that point soon; otherwise, 2023 could be even worse than how this year’s going. And that’s with hundreds of active shooter events that have already taken place. It’s time to push back against the hate.
Michael Letts is the Founder and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots nonprofit organization helping to re-fund police by contributing thousands of bulletproof vests for police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Read More Michael Letts reports — Here.
