NBA referee Bill Kennedy, who came out as gay in 2015, spoke out in an emotional video Tuesday in response to the weekend shooting that killed five and left 17 others with gunshot wounds at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
was released on the NBA鈥檚 social media platforms.
鈥淭hese types of heinous crimes, these hideous hate crimes, need to stop in this country,鈥� Kennedy said. 鈥淲e, we as the people, have to figure out a way to do this and to get it done. Godspeed to the LGBT community in Colorado Springs and abroad.鈥�
The shooting at took place Saturday night. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, faces murder and hate crime charges. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday by video from jail.
It鈥檚 not the first reaction from the NBA to the incident. Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone spoke earlier this week, calling it 鈥渁nother senseless mass shooting.鈥� The Nuggets also held a moment of silence before their home game Tuesday night against Detroit.
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鈥淚 wanted to take an opportunity to reach out to the victims and their families and express my sincere condolences for those who were there at Club Q over the past weekend,鈥� Kennedy said.
In 25 seasons, Kennedy has officiated nearly 1,500 regular-season and playoff games.
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Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press
