The Latino who arrested the gay bar shooter in Colorado Springs wanted to defend his family. "I'm not a hero," he says.

By Deon J. Hampton, Janelle Griffith and Melissa Chan -

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A decorated Mexican Army veteran confronted and arrested the man who killed five people at a gay club in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Although his action made him a hero, he did it with a clear purpose: "I needed to save my family," he assured.

Richard Fierro, 45, was at Club Q celebrating a birthday with his wife, their daughter and several friends, waiting to see his daughter's partner perform at the prom, when a person armed with an AR-15 style rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest began shooting.

Richard Fierro, an Army veteran of Mexican origin, tells how he confronted the Colorado Springs gay bar attacker during a press conference on November 21, 2022. Jack Dempsey / AP

"I only know that I went into [war] mode, and that I needed to save my family, and my family was all that was in that place at that time," he explained at a press conference held outside his home on Monday.

Another patron of the bar, Thomas James, was also involved in arresting the shooter.

“That's what they trained me to do.

I saw him and went for him.

I tried to save people and it didn't work for five [people].

There are five people who are not at home right now, ”he lamented.

"I did not ask for this," he said in relation to the heroic gesture that has earned him the recognition of his community.

"I'm not a hero, I'm just a normal guy," he said.

Fierro served in the Army for 15 years, having been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Who are they and what do we know about the victims of the shooting at a gay club in Colorado Springs]

“I have never come across a person who had done such heroic deeds and was so humble about it,” Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said of the war veteran.

“He just told me, 'I was trying to protect my family.'”

"He took the guns out of his hands"

In an interview at her home Monday afternoon, Jessica Fierro described her husband's heroic efforts to prevent further tragedy.

“My husband shot down the gunman,” she said proudly.

“My husband took the guns out of her hands and took the gun and literally started hitting the guy with it,” she recounted.

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"We were having a great time, we were all on the dance floor and suddenly shots were heard and everyone broke up and started running," he described.

"It was absolute chaos."

Her husband yelled for someone to call the police, she said. 

At that moment, another man who had fallen to the ground got up and began kicking the gunman.

Fierro injured his hands, knees and ankles stopping the shooter, his wife said.

While the shots were fired, Jessica Fierro went to an area of ​​the patio.

"She was stunned and scared," she said.

But her husband stayed inside her.

“That's what they trained me to do.

I saw him and went for him.

I tried to save people and it didn't work for five [people].

There are five people who are not home right now."

richard fierro army veteran

The woman explained that her two best friends were shot and that her daughter broke her knee while trying to take refuge.

Her boyfriend, however, was killed in the attack.

The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, was detained by police, who arrived within minutes of the shooting, authorities said Sunday.

He was arrested and charged with five counts of first-degree murder and five counts of hate or hate crimes.

Joe Aldaz, a friend of the Fierro family, did not learn of the veteran's heroic act until Monday afternoon, but stressed that bravery is one of his traits.

“I know Rich Fierro.

I wouldn't be surprised if he did that kind of heroism,” he acknowledged.

[Anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Colorado had community members anticipating a tragedy]

Aldaz is the president of the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber and said Jessica and Richard Fierro are members.

The couple owns Atrevida Beer Co, a location that opened in January 2018.

According to his biography on the San Diego State University website, Fierro graduated in 1999 as a distinguished serviceman from the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AROTC).

He spent the next 15 years in the Army serving in various capacities, including platoon leader, battery commander, battalion operations officer, brigade planning officer and corps counterfire officer. 

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Last year he earned an MBA from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

He has received the Bronze Star Medal, which is awarded to members who have “distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service,” as well as decorations in recognition of their dedication.

Deon J. Hampton reported from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Janelle Griffith and Melissa Chan reported from New York.