Initial images from the scene showed several police cars and emergency personnel with blue lights outside the store in the US state of Colorado. Senior officer Pamela Castro said, "We're going to be here for many more hours."

DLNews Breaking News:

Five people have been shot dead in a rampage at a gay club in Colorado Springs (USA). This was announced by the police, who reported another 18 injured. Some of them are serious, according to media reports.

The shooter is said to have attacked shortly before midnight when a trans event was reportedly happening at "Club Q." The day of the attack, November 20, is considered a day of remembrance for victims of trans hostility.

The police have not yet released any further information on the motive of the unknown perpetrator.

According to media reports, the perpetrator has been arrested and is in custody. In addition, the shooter is said to be injured. The rampage shooter - like his victims - has been hospitalized.

It is not yet clear whether the shooter was injured by the police - or by guests who confronted the spree killer. The "Club Q" writes the latter on its Facebook page. It is thanking "the quick reactions of the heroic customers who overpowered the gunman and ended his hate attack."

At a hastily called press conference, a police spokesman said only that a suspicious person had been arrested in the store. It is unknown how many people were on the scene at the time of the attack.

"Club Q" mourned on Facebook, saying, "We are shocked by the senseless attack on our community. Our prayers and thoughts are with all victims, their families, and friends."

"Club Q" is considered a meeting place for gays and lesbians (archive photo)

Just five hours earlier, the venue, which regularly hosts drag shows and transgender parties, posted: "Get ready for an awesome Sunday of fun!"

The shooting comes as Colorado Springs has been the site of several previous mass shootings. In addition to the shooting at a nightclub, a gunman killed six people at a Mother's Day party last year. Another shooting occurred at a movie theater in 2012 and happened at a Planned Parenthood office in 2015, killing three people and wounding nine others. The shooting at Club Q adds to a series of attacks targeting venues that host L.G.B.T.Q. Shows.

This is a developing story. Check back with DLNews for more of the latest updates.