Boulder shooting suspect makes 1st court appearance as community grieves

Ten people were killed when a gunman opened fire at a Boulder grocery store.

March 25, 2021, 12:07 PM

The 21-year-old accused of gunning down 10 people, including a police officer, at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday made his first court appearance Thursday.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, of Arvada, Colorado, was taken into custody about 50 minutes after the shooting was reported. He was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder as well as one count of attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a police officer who was not hurt.

At Thursday's court appearance, prosecutors said additional charges are expected in the next few weeks.

PHOTO: King Soopers shooting suspect Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, appears before Boulder District Court Judge Thomas Mulvahill at the Boulder County Justice Center in Boulder, Colo., March 25, 2021.
King Soopers shooting suspect Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, appears before Boulder District Court Judge Thomas Mulvahill at the Boulder County Justice Center in Boulder, Colo., March 25, 2021.
Helen H. Richardson/Pool via Reuters

Defense attorneys said more time is needed to assess Alissa's mental health.

Alissa was held without bail and the judge ordered a status conference to take place in about 60 to 90 days.

PHOTO: Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, appears before Boulder District Court Judge Thomas Mulvahill at the Boulder County Justice Center in Boulder, Colo., March 25, 2021.
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, appears before Boulder District Court Judge Thomas Mulvahill at the Boulder County Justice Center in Boulder, Colo., March 25, 2021. Three days after he was led away in handcuffs from a Boulder supermarket where 10 people were fatally shot, Alissa appeared in court for the first time and his defense lawyer asked for a mental health assessment "to address his mental illness."
Helen H. Richardson/Pool via AP

A possible motive has not been released. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the suspect bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol on March 16.

The Boulder community gathered in grief at a candlelight vigil Wednesday night, singing "Amazing Grace" through their masks.

PHOTO: Mourners embrace at a vigil for the victims of a mass shooting at a grocery store earlier in the week, March 24, 2021, outside the courthouse in Boulder, Colo.
Mourners embrace at a vigil for the victims of a mass shooting at a grocery store earlier in the week, March 24, 2021, outside the courthouse in Boulder, Colo.
David Zalubowski/AP
PHOTO: Mourners attend a candlelight vigil outside the Boulder County Courthouse on March 24, 2021 in Boulder, Colo., a few days after a mass shooting at a grocery store that left ten people dead.
Mourners attend a candlelight vigil outside the Boulder County Courthouse on March 24, 2021 in Boulder, Colo., a few days after a mass shooting at a grocery store that left ten people dead.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

The 10 victims range in age from 20 to 65 and include Boulder police officer Eric Talley, who was the first member of law enforcement to arrive at the scene.

PHOTO: A sign honoring the 10 victims adorns a fence at the site of a mass shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colo., March 23, 2021.
A sign honoring the 10 victims adorns a fence at the site of a mass shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colo., March 23, 2021.
Kevin Mohatt/Reuters
PHOTO: A solemn group of King Soopers employees, left, some from the Boulder store and some from the same district, gather after placing flowers for each of the victims of a mass shooting at a Boulder Kings Soopers store, March 23, 2021.
A solemn group of King Soopers employees, left, some from the Boulder store and some from the same district, gather after placing flowers for each of the victims of a mass shooting at a Boulder Kings Soopers store, March 23, 2021.
Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP

The other victims were identified as: Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jody Waters, 65.

PHOTO: Josie Elowsky cries and hugs her friend, Nirbisha Shetsha, at the site of a mass shooting at King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colo., March 23, 2021.
Josie Elowsky cries and hugs her friend, Nirbisha Shetsha, at the site of a mass shooting at King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colo., March 23, 2021.
Alyson Mcclaran/Reuters

As Talley's body was escorted from the coroner's office to the funeral home on Wednesday, fellow officers gathered on roads and overpasses to show their support.

PHOTO: Law enforcement vehicles escort the body of slain Boulder Police officer Eric Talley to a funeral home, March 24, 2021, in Boulder, Colo.
Law enforcement vehicles escort the body of slain Boulder Police officer Eric Talley to a funeral home, March 24, 2021, in Boulder, Colo. Ten people, including Talley, were killed in a shooting at a King Soopers grocery store earlier in the week.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Talley's handcuffs were used to transport Alissa to jail, Boulder police said.

"Though this was a small gesture, we hope it is the start of the healing process that so many of us need at this time," the police department tweeted.

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