A retired emergency room doctor testified on Thursday about the composed look on the face of a shooter who was targeting shoppers at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, over three years ago when 10 people were killed.
This testimony followed the prosecutor’s description of the victims’ final moments during the opening statements in Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa’s delayed trial.
Facing 10 counts of murder and 38 counts of attempted murder, along with numerous other charges, Alissa was deemed fit for trial by a judge last year. He entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity last November.
Court records and a gun shop owner revealed that Alissa purchased a Ruger AR-556 days before the incident after passing a background check. The mass shooting at King Soopers on March 22, 2021, took place in a state already familiar with such tragedies, including the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and the Aurora movie theater shooting in 2012.
Dr. Alison Sheets, a retired emergency room physician, recounted her experience to jurors. She had been shopping when loud noises erupted. Sheets initially hid behind a cardboard display, then moved sideways into a shelf of potato chips. Her yellow ski jacket blended with the yellow bags of chips, providing cover. She heard gunshots and screaming.
Sheets testified that she saw the shooter walking past her hiding spot, describing him as “hunting.” She avoided making eye contact with him, noting his calm expression.
In the next aisle, Sheets heard someone die, recognising the sound from her emergency medicine experience. She also smelled blood. Sheets remained silent for the rest of the day.
Jurors appeared visibly upset, and some family members of the victims sniffled. The defence did not cross-examine the seven witnesses who testified that day.
During opening statements, the defence acknowledged that the defendant, Alissa, killed 10 people but argued he suffered from severe schizophrenia and was experiencing a psychotic episode during the shooting. Alissa had reported hearing persistent voices to a psychologist.
On the afternoon of March 22, 2021, prosecutor Michael Dougherty told jurors that the gunman chose a bustling supermarket as the setting for the attack. Dougherty described King Soopers as a community hub where people regularly shopped, making the day’s events even more tragic.
Alissa, dressed in a white button-down shirt with stripes and dark grey slacks, frequently looked around the courtroom, especially at the victims’ families.
The shooting began at 2:25 p.m., and Dougherty detailed the final moments of the 10 victims. Neven Stanisic, 23, was the first to be killed while on the phone in the parking lot. Kevin Mahoney, 61, was shot outside the store, nearly being run over by a fleeing woman. Teri Leiker, 51, a longtime employee, was shot while bagging groceries, and Jody Waters, 65, hid under a checkout counter before being killed. The shooter killed eight victims in 68 seconds.
At one point, the gunman spared a 90-year-old man who showed no fear, targeting those who appeared scared and running instead.
Dougherty emphasized that the jurors would need to decide if the defendant could distinguish right from wrong or if his mental illness prevented him from forming a culpable mental state. The prosecutor argued that mental illness does not equate to insanity.
Realising he was surrounded, the defendant attempted to ambush officers but was shot in the leg. He then surrendered, stripping down to his underwear to avoid being shot again. Dougherty suggested this showed he knew the difference between right and wrong.
Defence attorney Sam Dunn highlighted Alissa’s severe schizophrenia and treatment with Clozaril, arguing that his delusional thinking led to nonsensical behaviour. Alissa’s family, who emigrated from Syria, had initially mistaken his mental illness for demonic possession.
Alissa was initially deemed incompetent to stand trial but was later found competent after treatment at a state hospital. His condition improved with antipsychotic medication, and he was returned to Boulder County Jail to better participate in his defence.
Families of the victims have expressed frustration with delays in the case. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
On the afternoon of the shooting, Boulder police received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooter in an armoured vest. Among those killed was Boulder police Officer Eric Talley, who was one of the first to respond. Other victims included store manager Rikki Olds, 25; employee Denny Stong, 20; Tralona “Lonna” Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; and Lynn Murray, 62.
Witnesses described the chaos as shoppers fled or hid. One man waiting for a Covid vaccine hid with his young daughters in a coat closet. Alissa was arrested less than an hour after the first 911 calls, dressed only in shorts after being wounded.
Alissa’s brother, Ali Aliwi Alissa, said the family had emigrated from Syria and that the suspect had lived most of his life in the United States. The brother described Alissa as paranoid and often believing he was followed.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Denver7 reports that the Boulder King Soopers shooting trial has begun, focusing on whether the defendant was insane at the time of the mass killing on March 22, 2021.(read more)
- CNN reports that the trial of a Colorado man accused of killing 10 people in a King Soopers grocery store mass shooting is underway, with witnesses describing the suspect as “hunting” for victims.(read more)
- CPR provides an in-depth look at the opening statements in the trial of Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, accused of killing 10 people at a Boulder King Soopers in 2021. The prosecution emphasized Alissa’s intent and planning, while the defense argued he was clinically insane, unable to distinguish between right and wrong.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa?
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is the accused shooter in the 2021 Boulder, Colorado, grocery store massacre.
What charges is Alissa facing?
Alissa faces 10 counts of murder, 38 counts of attempted murder, and numerous other charges.
What was Alissa’s plea in the trial?
Alissa pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
What weapon did Alissa use in the shooting?
Alissa used a Ruger AR-556, purchased legally after passing a background check.
What argument is the defense using for Alissa?
The defense argues Alissa has severe schizophrenia and was in a psychotic episode during the shooting.
