By Angel Ford, Contributing Writer
Raised in Broken Arrow from the age of 3, Daniel Davis Aston grew up in an idyllic part of town with a creek nearby and where children played freely. His family knew most of their neighbors and Daniel couldn’t have asked for a better upbringing. With an adventurous spirit, Daniel was fearless when it came to pretty much anything.
“He wanted to be a pirate for the longest time. So, he would practice swashbuckling every day out in the backyard with his little plastic sword. He never ever liked girl things,” says his mother, Sabrina Aston.
Daniel’s compassion and bravery were present from an early age and shaped his character long into the future. Neighborhood friends were frequent playmates and his protective nature kicked in for one boy in particular who was bullied simply for his struggles with learning.
“Daniel was always so sweet and took up for him. When they were on the bus and others were teasing him, Daniel, who was the tiniest little guy, would just jump in front of him and say, ‘You leave him alone,’” Sabrina says.
Daniel’s bravery was present the night of Nov. 20, 2022, when he sprang into action to save a friend. Despite his courage, Daniel was the first of five who died when Anderson Lee Aldrich walked into Club Q in Colorado Springs and opened fire on patrons. Aldrich was sentenced to 55 life terms plus 190 years in prison earlier this month.
“He had so much going for him, and it’s hard to wrap my head around it, even now,” Sabrina told the Sentinel in an interview. “It’s almost been two years and I still cannot quite believe it.”
Difficult decision
Born a biological female, Daniel started to be teased for his tomboyish look as he got older. So, during his teenage years, Daniel asked his mother for help to “be a girl.” Despite growing popularity among the boys of his high school, Daniel came out as gay not long after and attended prom with his girlfriend.
“I think my husband was a little more reluctant. He kept thinking this would be a phase and I knew things weren’t going to change,” Sabrina says.
Although he was fearful of being seen as an outcast, Daniel enrolled in Northeastern State University right out of high school and started to attend classes in the fall of 2013.
Ahyoka Youngdeer befriended Daniel when they met in NSU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Youngdeer was a member of the Campus Safe Zone and one of the founding officers of the Gay-Straight Alliance, which was later renamed Stonewall Equality Alliance in 2016. Daniel was a freshman and was still finding his way, says Youngdeer, a college friend.
“Daniel was a force to be reckoned with in many respects. He was loyal and just. He had his not-so-great moments, as we all do. But the good ones far outweighed the negatives,” Youngdeer says. “There was a time when he and I were the only two openly trans people who lived on campus. That commonality helped us relate to one another in ways we never could with our cisgender peers. We got through a lot together. He truly cared for everyone who needed someone to support them.”
A new start
After two years of attending classes, Daniel told his mother he needed a change. So, he left NSU and jumped into the workforce where he sold clothing at T.J. Maxx and bussed tables in various restaurants before landing a job at Elote Cafe in Tulsa where he met his best friend and, later, roommate.
“They were both trans men and they started hormones at the same time. People don’t realize you have to go through a lot,” Sabrina explains. “They think doctors just hand out this medicine. No, they do not. They make you go through multiple appointments and to a therapist. You have to be sincere about what you’re doing before they allow you to have it. I trusted his doctors. They started with a small amount and then would build it up over time.”
In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, Daniel chose to move closer to his parents and headed out to Colorado for a new start. He lived with his parents for about 6 months before finding a new home in an unconventional place.
“He started working at Club Q and never turned back,” Sabrina says. “He loved it. He said, ‘Mom, it’s not just a bar. This is a safe space for LGBTQ+ people.’ He just felt like a counselor, and he was. When he passed, people said, ‘I could sit and talk to Daniel. He would listen. He helped me when I was going through my troubles.’ He was like that to a lot of people, even as a child.”
In 2022, just two short years after his move, Daniel had a well-outfitted apartment, many friends, plans to return to school and a budding new romance. According to Wyatt Kent, they had fallen madly in love and Daniel was going to bring him over for Thanksgiving.
A night of tragedy
The attack at Club Q occurred the night of Nov. 20, 2022, four days before the Aston family was to gather for the holiday. Daniel had finished his shift as a bartender earlier that night but stayed to spend time with friends and watch Kent’s performance.
“Daniel was the first person to die. He and Ashtin Gamblin were at the front in the little booths, trapped. I guess Daniel saw the weapon, so he jumped in front of Ashtin. She got shot in the arms, but he got shot in the chest. And, of course, that was the fatal shot. She tells everybody that he jumped in front of her. That was Daniel,” Sabrina says.
Survivors and family members of the five killed and 22 injured during the attack had the opportunity to speak at sentencing hearings for Aldrich. Last year, the state court sentenced Aldrich to five life terms plus 2,208 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder, along with other charges. This was the first instance those affected could confront him.
“The first part of the trial, we went so many different times. I think we were all kind of shell-shocked. We couldn’t express ourselves,” Sabrina recalls. “(This month’s hearing) I was so impressed with all the family members who talked about their loved ones. The ones who were hurt (during the attack) spoke about all they had gone through. My husband was the first to speak, and he said, ‘He doesn’t deserve to live,’” referring to the shooter.
Sabrina could not remember all she said during this month’s hearing but recalled looking at Aldrich and recounting him visiting the bar before the attack.
“I said, ‘I know you were in that bar and that everybody there was friendly with you. I’m sure Daniel probably gave you a drink and he was friendly, too.’ And he nodded. He knew who he was and still shot him. I can’t comprehend it, that kind of evil,” says Sabrina.
Earlier this month, Aldrich pleaded guilty to 74 federal hate crimes and was sentenced to 55 life terms plus 190 years in prison. This sentencing has been added to the conviction from the previous year. The Aston family is pleased with the outcome of the trial, but it drained them, Sabrina says.
“He did get the hate crimes (conviction) and that’s what was most important for me, that it was recorded. It’s not going to change the outcome of how long he stays in prison or anything, it’s just that it needed to be said. It was premeditated hate and he planned it to the T,” she says.
Daniel’s mother hopes he will be remembered for his poetry, his unending compassion for animals and his ability to bring people to him.
“I want him to be a role model for other trans people and the general public because he was such a sweet human being. He never hurt anybody. He was like my Mom. Everybody she had around trusted her and would come to her for advice. She had that calm demeanor. And Daniel did, too,” Sabrina says.
What could be done
Youngdeer hoped the sentencing would provide closure, but it did not. While she’s happy that justice was served, she believes more should be done.
ABC News reported that Alrich had been previously arrested in 2021 on a felony charge for making a bomb threat, but authorities said it was unclear if the state’s red flag laws would have prevented the shooting. The charges were eventually dropped by prosecutors because relatives wouldn’t testify and records were sealed by a judge.
Published reports also say Aldrich was armed with a rifle and a handgun that both lacked serial numbers and appeared to be so-called “ghost guns” not made by licensed manufacturers that are hard for the ATF to trace. It is apparently not illegal to manufacture a gun for personal use.
According to Youngdeer, gun owners have more rights than Daniel had, and she currently has.
“I don’t get to see or hug him anymore because one man took it upon himself to take my friend’s life due to bigotry ideologies,” Youngdeer says. “The best way we can honor Daniel’s memory is to vote for people who will support equal rights for all people and truly push for common-sense gun laws. Daniel lived and died fighting for the right to be happy, safe and free. Hold(ing) our elected officials accountable is the best way to honor Daniel’s legacy.”
Leave a Reply