10 killed in Colorado grocery store shooting

By Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes, Meg Wagner, Melissa Mahtani and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 9:58 PM ET, Tue March 23, 2021

22 Posts

Sort by

11:42 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

Ted Cruz announces he's reintroducing legislation to strengthen background checks

From CNN's Christina Carrega

Texas Senator Ted Cruz speaks during a hearing on gun violence in Washington, DC, on March 23. Pool

Texas GOP senator Ted Cruz announced he is reintroducing legislation that would implement stronger background checks before purchasing a firearm.

During Cruz's opening remarks on Tuesday for the "Constitutional and Common Sense Steps to Reduce Gun Violence" hearing, he said he has been trying to pass legislation since 2013 that would target "violent criminals," felons, fugitives and "those with serious mental disease to stop them from getting firearms to put them in prison, when they try to illegally buy guns."

Cruz said the bill did not pass before because of a "shameful filibuster" that was led by Democrats. He said that combatting gun violence should not take guns away from law abiding citizens.

"I would ask Senate Democrats, including some of our newer colleagues who just got here, not to participate again in the shameful filibuster, that this body engaged in in 2013, let's target the bad guys the felons the fugitives those with mental disease. Let's put them in jail, let's stop them from getting guns, let's not scapegoat innocent law-abiding citizens and let's not target their constitutional rights," Cruz said.

"Every year firearms are used in a defensive capacity to defend women, children, families, roughly a million times a year in the United States. And the Democrats who want to take away the guns from those potential victims would create more victims of crimes, not less," Cruz said.

Cruz says he will not apologize for offering "thoughts or prayers" after another act of gun violence happens in the country but agrees that action is needed.

11:34 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

Boulder Police honored slain officer's family just weeks ago after one of his sons saved a sibling's life

From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury

Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold spoke of slain officer Eric Talley and his dedication to the department and to his family.

"This officer had seven children, ages five to 18 ... I just had that officer's whole family in my office a few weeks ago to give him an award," Herold said.

She said Talley and family were in her office for an award ceremony for one of his children, who was honored for saving the life of one of his siblings by performing CPR.

"He taught his family CPR. And Officer Talley — one of his sons swallowed a quarter, and because Officer Talley taught his children CPR, one of his sons was able to save the little boy's life. And so the Boulder Police Department just gave his son an award for life-saving," Herold explained.

Herold went on to remember the legacy of Talley.

"He's a very kind man. He didn't have to go into policing. He had a profession before this, but he felt a higher calling. And he loved this community. And he's everything that policing deserves and needs. He cared about this community. He cared about Boulder police department. He cared about his family. And he was willing to die to protect others," she said.

Watch Boulder police chief recall giving slain officer's son an award recently:

11:24 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

Boulder police chief says suspect was shot in leg, no motive yet

From CNN's Shawn Nottingham

Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold says the suspect in Tuesday’s supermarket murders was shot in the leg. She said it’s unclear if he was shot by law enforcement officers.

Herold said investigators have spoken to the suspect but that they can’t say what his motive may have been at this point.

The suspect is currently being treated for his wound and is expected to be booked into jail later this afternoon.

1:04 p.m. ET, March 23, 2021

These are the victims of the Boulder mass shooting

Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold provided the names and ages of the 10 people who were killed in Monday's shooting.

These are the victims:

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

"Our hearts go out to all the victims killed during this senseless act of violence," Herold said. "We're committed with state, local, and federal authorities for a thorough investigation and we'll bring justice to each of these families."

Correction: An earlier version of this post misspelled victim Denny Stong's last name based on information provided by the Boulder Police Department.

11:59 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

Boulder shooting suspect charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder

Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said the suspect in Monday's grocery shooting has been "charged with 10 counts of murder in the first degree and will be shortly transported to Boulder county jail."

Police identified him as 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa.

Herold also gave details of how the incident unfolded:

"Regarding the suspect, at approximately 2:40 P.M. Monday, March 22, officers were dispatched to Kings Soopers. They arrived on the scene within minutes and immediately entered the store and engaged the suspect. There was an exchange of gunfire. The suspect was shot and a number of other officers were injured."

She said the suspect was taken to hospital, were he was treated and is now in stable condition.

"I want to say to the community, I'm so sorry this incident happened. And we're going to do everything in our power to make sure the suspect has a thorough trial and we do a thorough investigation," Herold added.

11:23 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

FBI: Effort to identify the shooter's motive "is ongoing"

FBI special agent Michael Schneider speaks during a press conference in Boulder, Colorado, on March 23. CNN

FBI special agent Michael Schneider said it is still too early to know the suspected shooter's motive.

"Our objective in this investigation is to conduct a thorough investigation which includes identifying the subject's motives. Our effort is ongoing," he said in a news conference today.

Schneider noted that it's been less than 24 hours since the shooting occurred, and said "it is premature for us to draw any conclusions at this point in time."

"I can tell you the community is safe and we will continue to share updates as we conduct our investigation and draw conclusions as a result of that investigation," he said.

11:23 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

Boulder county district attorney vows justice for shooting victims

Boulder county District Attorney Michael Dougherty speak CNN

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty called Monday's shooing "a horrific attack" and vowed to bring justice for all 10 victims.

"The victims food shopping were engaged in an everyday act, something we all do and it turned out to be their last day on Earth. I cannot imagine the pain and agony that their loved ones — families — are feeling right now. We will make sure that the suspect is held accountable for what he did to them yesterday," Dougherty said.

He confirmed that the suspect was currently being held in hospital, where he had been treated after the attack and would be transferred to Boulder County Jail later today.

He stressed that the investigation is in the very early stages but said that multiple agencies were working together to ensure justice would be done.

"Nothing can replace, nothing can fill the void for the families and their loved ones. But I can promise you that we'll hold him accountable," Dougherty added.

11:23 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

Boulder county district attorney pays tribute to slain police officer

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty paid tribute to Officer Eric Talley who lost his life in Monday's attack.

"Officer Eric Talley died heroically. He is one of the many outstanding members of Boulder county law enforcement and he had been an officer here at the Boulder police department and the patrol car behind us is here in his honor today," Dougherty said.

"He died charging into the line of fire to save people who were simply trying to live their lives and go food shopping. And the man that gunned them down will be held fully responsible," Dougherty continued.

Talley was the first officer to respond to reports of an armed man inside a grocery store in Boulder on Monday — and it's where the father of seven died after actions that were described as "heroic" by numerous officials.

Dougherty described Monday's shooting as "tragic" and vowed to get justice for the 10 victims involved.

"To the families and to this community. Why did this happen? We don't have the answer to that yet. We're working hard to determine that and that information will come. But what I can tell you today is that Boulder and Colorado is giving its very best to the response of what happened. We've had agencies from all around the metro area, district attorneys and prosecutors from all around the state of Colorado, law enforcement from every area around Boulder and Denver responding to help and give their very all to this vicious attack. We are in the early phases of the investigation. There is a lot to learn. I want to thank the local partners. This is what we should do in response to this horrific act," Dougherty added.

Watch Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty's tribute to the victims:

11:22 a.m. ET, March 23, 2021

Boulder mayor praises slain police officer: We can never thank him enough for his sacrifice

Boulder Mayor Sam Weaver speaks during a press conference in Boulder, Colorado, on March 23. CNN

Boulder, Colorado, Mayor Sam Weaver honored the 10 victims of yesterday's mass shooting, and thanked the sacrifice of slain police officer Eric Talley.

Weaver said the city feels "the losses in our bones."

"But today we remember, we appreciate and we honor the lives of those who were killed. One of those we remember is Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley, who was gunned down as he valiantly protected those in mortal danger," Weaver said in today's news conference.

"Officer Talley, a truly heroic public servant joins the ranks of six other Boulder police officers who laid down their lives for the people of our city. We can never thank officer Talley or his family enough for their sacrifice, but we will not forget it," he added.

Talley was the first officer to respond to reports of an armed man inside a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday — and it's where the father of seven died.

Talley, 51, had been a member of the force since 2010, according to Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold.

Watch: