Terrified barman 'thought he'd die' as gunman opens fire in gay club killing 5

The bartender at the gay nightclub in Colorado where five people were slaughtered by a rampaging gunman last night has shared the terror he felt as the suspect prowled across the dancefloor – picking off friends and revellers with a firearm.

Five people are now dead and another 18 injured after an unknown person stormed Club Q – one of a handful of LGBTQ+ venues in Colorado Springs – and killed them during a Saturday night event.

Club Q – where the incident took place – advertises itself as an ” Adult-oriented gay & lesbian nightclub hosting theme nights such as karaoke, drag shows & DJs”.

The attack fell on the Transgender Day of Remembrance; an annual date when trans people lost to transphobic violence are remembered.

Police provided little additional information, other than the grim death tally, but a press conference was set for around 8am local time (3pm GMT) later today.