Daily Briefing: 'I just ran over there, got him'

Jane Onyanga-Omara and Steve Coogan, USA TODAY
·7 min read
3

A former soldier who helped disarm the shooter at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub told how his instinct took over. Also in the news: President Joe Biden has spared two lucky turkeys from the Thanksgiving table – Chocolate and Chip.

It's Jane Onyanga-Omara and Steve Coogan, Daily Briefing authors.

Let's get to Tuesday's news.

'Gotta get on the next patrol': Former soldier subdued shooter at Colorado Springs nightclub

A decorated former Army major says instinct took over when he helped disarm a man police say went on a murderous rampage inside an LGBTQ nightclub, killing five people and wounding 25. "I wasn't thinking," said Rich Fierro to a group of reporters Monday night. "I just ran over there, got him ... He ended up killing my daughter's boyfriend." Fierro is one of two men police are crediting with saving lives by subduing a 22-year-old gunman who opened fire Saturday night at Club Q. Fierro said that he and another young man pinned the shooter, later identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, stripping a pistol and a rifle away from him before beginning to beat Aldrich. The other man who tackled the shooter was later identified as Thomas James. Read more

People visit a makeshift memorial near the Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
People visit a makeshift memorial near the Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Death toll in Indonesia earthquake rises to 268; 151 still missing

The death toll from the earthquake that shook the Indonesian island of Java rose to 268 on Tuesday as more bodies were found beneath collapsed buildings, and 151 people are still missing, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said. Agency head Suharyanto, who like many Indonesians only goes by one name, told reporters that another 1,083 people were injured in the 5.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Monday afternoon near the city of Cianjur. The temblor sent terrified residents fleeing into the streets, some covered in blood and debris, and caused buildings around the rural area to collapse. Read more

People ride a motorbike past a building damaged in Monday's earthquake in Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
People ride a motorbike past a building damaged in Monday's earthquake in Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.

📷 Deadly quake rocks Indonesia's main island of Java 📷

Emergency workers treated those injured by the quake on stretchers and blankets outside hospitals, on terraces and in parking lots in the Cianjur region, about three hours drive from the island’s capital. The injured, including children, were given oxygen masks and IV lines. Some were resuscitated. Hundreds of people gathered outside the Cianjur regional hospital building, waiting for treatment.

A man walks past a house damaged by an earthquake in Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. The strong, shallow earthquake toppled buildings and collapsed walls on Indonesia's densely populated main island of Java on Monday, killing a number of people and injuring hundreds as people rushed into the streets, some covered in blood and white debris.

See more photos of the aftermath of the devastating quake.

More news to know now

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Jury deliberations to begin in Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial

A Washington, D.C., jury will begin deliberating Tuesday in the trial of five Oath Keepers accused of plotting against the government to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and four other members of the right-wing militia group face the most serious charges brought so far in relation to the attack on the Capitol, chief among them a seditious conspiracy charge. The Justice Department hasn't tried a seditious conspiracy case in a decade nor won a guilty verdict since 1995, when Islamic militants who plotted to bomb New York City landmarks were prosecuted.  A guilty verdict could serve as a warning to government dissenters that violent acts against the U.S. will be punished. But an acquittal could undermine the Justice Department's narrative that the events of Jan. 6 endangered democracy — and embolden the militia movement. Read more

Supporters of the extremist group Oath Keepers stand outside the federal courthouse, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Washington.
Supporters of the extremist group Oath Keepers stand outside the federal courthouse, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Washington.

Major rail union rejects deal Biden brokered, threatening pre-holiday strike

A union representing rail conductors narrowly voted to reject a collective bargaining agreement orchestrated by the Biden administration, moving one step closer to a crippling freight rail strike that appeared averted two months ago. A separate union representing rail engineers voted to ratify the deal. The split among the two largest rail unions comes after three smaller unions already rejected the agreement with rail companies. Eight freight rail unions have now approved the agreement, but all 12 must sign on for ratification. A strike or lockout could paralyze the economy by halting the shipment of many foods and critical goods. Read more

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World Cup action: USMNT ties with Wales after conceding late goal

The United States didn't get the result it wanted in its World Cup opener, but it did secure a 1-1 draw against Wales and a point on Monday in Qatar. The Americans led for most of the game after Tim Weah, 22, scored the lone goal in the first half. But Welsh star Gareth Bale converted a late penalty kick after being fouled by Walker Zimmerman to earn his national team a point as well. Elsewhere in Group B, England dominated an overmatched Iran, staking its claim as the favorites in the group. The U.S. faces England on Friday. Read more

One thing to know: England and other World Cup teams have asked their captains not to wear "OneLove" armbands after a dispute with FIFA. The "OneLove" campaign promotes diversity and inclusion in soccer.

What's next: Looking ahead to Tuesday, Lionel Messi, who has never won a World Cup, and Argentina take on Saudi Arabia in early action.

Wales forward Gareth Bale (11) heads the ball against United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) during the first half during of their Group B match during the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Monday, Nov. 21.
Wales forward Gareth Bale (11) heads the ball against United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) during the first half during of their Group B match during the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Monday, Nov. 21.

Biden pardons pair of Thanksgiving turkeys: Chocolate and Chip

The votes have been counted. There was no "ballot stuffing" or "fowl play," President Joe Biden said Monday. The results are in: Chocolate and Chip, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate, received a pardon. "Now, based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon," Biden said before being interrupted by a gobble from the turkeys. "I hereby pardon Chocolate and Chip." The two birds, who weigh 46 pounds and 47 pounds, respectively, will go on to reside at North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Read more

A little less heavy

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado Springs shooting, Indonesia earthquake, Oath Keepers, rail strike, World Cup, turkeys