Colorado Grocery Store Shooter Convicted of Killing 10 People

The man accused of killing 10 individuals in a mass shooting at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 has been convicted of 10 counts of murder. Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 25, faced a jury for a two-week trial that was significantly delayed while his mental health was evaluated, according to announcements from the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Alissa faced numerous charges, including attempted murder, assault, and various firearms offenses. In 2023, he was deemed competent to stand trial after receiving treatment at a mental health facility.

The events of the tragic shooting on March 22, 2021, were not contested in court. Alissa opened fire inside a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, shooting two individuals in the parking lot and eight more inside the store. His defense argued that he was suffering from severe mental illness at the time of the shooting, pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.

The victims, whose ages ranged from 20 to 65, included a variety of individuals, such as police officer Eric Talley, who was one of the first responders. Other victims were customers and employees at the store, including Rikki Olds, Denny Stong, Neven Stanisic, Tralona Bartkowiak, Teri Leiker, Suzanne Fountain, Kevin Mahoney, Lynn Murray, and Jody Waters.

Under Colorado law, Alissa’s conviction results in an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole, as the state does not impose the death penalty.

The jury found Alissa guilty on all 55 counts he faced, which included 10 counts of first-degree murder, 38 counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault, and six counts of felony possession of a large-capacity magazine.

On the day of the shooting, authorities reported that Alissa began firing his weapon around 2:30 PM, taking just over a minute to kill nearly all his victims. The assault ceased only when he was shot in the leg by a police officer.

During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Alissa as deliberate and methodical about his actions, emphasizing that he appeared to hunt down victims in a calculated manner. They presented testimony from investigators, medical professionals, and survivors, alongside harrowing surveillance and body camera footage from the incident.

Among the witnesses, pharmacist Sarah Chen recounted that while seeking refuge during the chaos, she heard Alissa remark, “This is fun,” multiple times.

Assistant District Attorney Ken Kupfner stressed Alissa’s intent to kill, noting that he continued shooting at victims who were still moving until they were confirmed dead. In closing arguments, Kupfner highlighted that Alissa’s decision to surrender demonstrated his understanding of the wrongness of his actions.

After the shooting, Alissa was diagnosed with schizophrenia while in custody. Initially deemed incompetent to stand trial, he underwent treatment which delayed the proceedings. In 2023, a Boulder District Court judge ruled that he was competent to understand the court’s processes and participate in his defense.

During the defense’s closing arguments, attorney Kathryn Herold stated that insanity was the only feasible explanation for Alissa’s actions. She insisted that his crimes resulted from a mental illness rather than personal choice. She illustrated this point by emotionally demonstrating the “killing voices” Alissa reportedly heard prior to the shooting, crying out, “Kill! Kill! Kill!” in court.

Herold emphasized that a not guilty verdict based on insanity would still hold Alissa accountable, clarifying that they did not contest his act of committing the crime.

The trial also included insights from Alissa’s family members, who expressed concerns about his mental health leading up to the shooting. His mother described his increasing paranoia and isolation over the years, which intensified after he contracted COVID-19. His father mentioned a belief that their son had become possessed by a spirit or something similarly troubling.

Alissa and his family immigrated to the U.S. from Syria during his childhood, settling in a suburban area near Denver. As he progressed through high school, his family noted significant changes in his behavior, including withdrawal and paranoia.

Prosecutor Kupfner acknowledged Alissa’s mental illness but complicated the narrative by declaring that being mentally ill is not equivalent to being insane. He firmly stated that Alissa understood right from wrong during the shooting.

Alissa’s case has sparked discussions around issues of mental health, gun violence, and legal responsibilities in cases involving severe psychological disorders.

Source: USA Today