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Victims, suspect identified in Boulder King Soopers shooting

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by Kyle Cooke • Published on • Last modified on
News | Rocky Mountain PBS

BOULDER, Colo. — Police have identified the ten people who were killed when a gunman opened fire at the King Soopers grocery store on Table Mesa Drive in Boulder on March 22.

Their names are:

  • Denny Stong, 20 years old
  • Neven Stanisic 23 years old
  • Rikki Olds, 25 years old
  • Tralona Bartkowiak, 49 years old
  • Suzanne Fountain, 59 years old
  • Teri Leiker, 51 years old
  • Eric Talley, 51 years old
  • Kevin Mahoney, 61 years old
  • Lynn Murray, 62 years old
  • Jody Waters, 65 years old

 

Talley was a Boulder Police officer. Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Talley was the first officer on the scene of the shooting, and that his actions saved lives.

Talley was 51 years old and had been with the police department since 2010. He had seven children.

"We should be able to feel safe in our grocery stores," said Rep. Joe Neguse, who represents Boulder, during a March 23 press conference. "We need to see a change, because we have lost far too many lives."

The suspected shooter, identified as 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa from Arvada, was taken into custody at the scene. He was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and one count of "criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree." Officials assured the public there is no ongoing threat related to this shooting.

In a court hearing March 25, Alissa's defense team said they needed time to evaluate the suspect's mental health.

Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty said he is going to work to keep the case in Boulder.

Colorado Voices
Boulder Shooting
1:53
Published:

Ten people lost their lives including Boulder Police officer Eric Talley.

"This is a pain that we need to sit with," Governor Jared Polis said. The governor added that we can't become "numb" to shootings like this.

“It’s a sad day for everybody,” said Marcia Kosar, a Boulder resident who attended Talley’s procession. “It’s so painful for the families and for all those workers who have to walk back into that building and [for] the neighbors who have to go back in there.”

“You just hope peace can come out of the picture somewhere,” she added.

President Joe Biden delivered a short speech about the shooting Tuesday afternoon in Washington. The president called Officer Talley "the definition of an American hero."

Biden called on the U.S. Senate to pass two bills that would close loopholes in the background check system when someone purchases a gun. The bills have already passed the Democrat-controlled House, but likely do not have the 60 votes required to pass the Senate.

The president also called for a ban on assault weapons, saying such a ban would save lives.

Arrest documents show that Alissa had purchased a Ruger AR-556 on March 16, according to The Colorado Sun.

Officials said Alissa purchased the gun legally in Arvada.

The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. Monday. The Boulder Police Department first confirmed on Twitter that officers were responding to an active shooter situation at the grocery store.

“Words can do no justice to the tragedy that has unfolded this afternoon,” Boulder Mayor Sam Weaver wrote on Twitter after the attack. “Our community will soon grieve our losses, and begin our healing. Our brave police officers and first responders have the gratitude of our entire city.”

Scores of armed law enforcement officers and SWAT vehicles surrounded the King Soopers building after the shooting. Several heavily armed officers could be seen using a fire engine ladder to get onto the roof of the store. Police used a loud speaker to tell the suspect inside that he was surrounded.

Around 3:30 p.m. video from news helicopters on scene showed police escorting a handcuffed man in his underwear out of the King Soopers. The man had what appeared to be blood covering much of his right leg. He was later identified as the suspect, who was shot in the leg.

A witness inside the King Soopers told The Denver Post that the shooter "just came in and started shooting.” Witnesses who have not already spoken with police officers are encouraged to call Boulder PD at 303-441-3333.

Herold and Dougherty said police officers exchanged fire with the suspect. 

Around 4:45 p.m., the scene at the grocery store began to calm down. 

"Denver stands with Boulder and the people and families affected by this act of gun violence," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Denver FBI office, are assisting in the investigation.

Governor Jared Polis also issued a statement.

The King Soopers location is about two miles south of the University of Colorado Boulder campus. The university canceled classes for the rest of the day of the shooting.

 We will update this story as we get new information.

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