10 Dead, Including Police Officer, in Boulder Shooting

Officer Eric Talley of the Boulder Police Department. (Photo courtesy of Boulder Police Department)

[UPDATE] More details are being released about the mass shooting that took place at a Boulder King Soopers yesterday.

10 people died including a police officer who was first to respond to reports of shots fired at the grocery store. Boulder police identified the deceased officer last night as 51-year-old Eric Talley, who had been with the department since 2010.  

The other nine victims have also been identified. They range in age from 20 to 65. 

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

The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa from Arvada. Authorities said there is an extensive investigation into his background, but that he has lived in the U.S. for most of his life. Alissa was shot in the leg by police yesterday and taken into custody about an hour after the first report of the shooting, and transported to a hospital, where he remained this morning in stable condition. No motive has been released.    

[ORIGINAL STORY]

A gunman killed 10 people at a King Soopers in Boulder yesterday afternoon, the latest mass shooting in Colorado. 

This one included among its victims a police officer who was first to respond to reports of shots fired at the grocery store.  

Boulder police identified the deceased officer last night as Eric Talley, who had been with the department since 2010.  

The names of the other victims are not being released at this time.  

The suspect was taken into custody, but there were few answers in the following hours.  Officials said it would take days to investigate the crime scene and to notify families.  

Workers and shoppers who survived the shooting fled the store any way they could—if they couldn’t, they took shelter inside—as the shots rang out.  

The suspect, a man, is in custody and being treated for injuries.  He has not been identified nor has a motive been given.  The FBI is helping with the investigation at the request of Boulder police.  

Police said the gunman was reported to have been carrying a rifle.  

Governor Polis issued a statement late Monday evening saying, “This year we have all been surrounded by loss of life, illness and isolation, and the deep grief that has accompanied the loss of life as we knew it. As spring arrived this weekend, and vaccines continue to get into arms, lightness creeped back in only for the darkness to descend on us again today. Today we saw the face of evil. I am grieving with my community and all Coloradans.”

Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze said in a statement, “The men and women of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office want to offer our most sincere condolences to the 9 citizens and Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley who lost their lives in Boulder. This was a horrific, senseless act of violence and we offer out support, thoughts, and payers.”  

The Buena Vista Police Department said on their Facebook page, “Our hearts are heavy as we hear the news out of Boulder. Praying for the families of those who lost a loved one. We also stand with the brave men and women of the Boulder Police Department who are mourning a fellow officer killed in the line of duty while responding to save others.  Rest in Peace, our fallen brother. We have the watch. “

Dan R