[ad_1]
(CNN) – Two days after the community was traumatized by a mass shooting, the people of Boulder honored the victims Wednesday with the support of public figures and citizens across the country.
The conversation also focused on how to prevent such loss of life, especially after the mass shootings at three massage spas in the Atlanta area that occurred less than a week earlier.
The heroism of Officer Eric Talley, who lost his life at the scene, was honored as people filled the streets Wednesday.
“It’s sad, but I’m glad we were able to honor his life,” Crystal Hootman told CNN. “I was talking to another resident and we both shopped at the grocery store. I hope, out of sadness, that Boulder becomes an even better place to live,” he said.
Talley’s body was transported to a funeral home in nearby Aurora, escorted by a procession of police and first aid vehicles.
At the King Soopers store, where the shooting took place, visitors left flowers and paid their respects to the ten people who died. Church chaplains were available for those in need, as well as Cubby, a golden retriever for emotional support.
“They take on people’s feelings,” Bonnie Fear, K-9 crisis response coordinator for Lutheran Church services, told CNN affiliate KUSA. “We bring the dogs in and we give them comfort and smiles, and we just open people’s emotions up so they can begin the healing process.”
Monday’s attack began with a gunman shooting a man in the parking lot before entering the grocery store and opening fire. Employees and customers tried to flee as the gunman wandered the aisles of the stores, according to witnesses and an arrest affidavit.
The victims were: Talley, 51; the store manager, Rikki Olds, 25; store clerk Denny Stong, 20; store clerk Teri Leiker, 51; Neven Stanisic, 23; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49 years old; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Kevin Mahoney, 61 years old; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jody Waters, 65.
Boulder Mayor Sam Weaver said Wednesday that he spoke with President Joe Biden, who expressed his condolences and sympathy.
“Of course, the conversation centered on what we can do to make sure this never happens in another community in our country, so we explored it a bit,” the mayor told CNN’s Pamela Brown. “The president expressed his regret that when the first federal assault weapons ban was passed in 1994, there had to be a ten-year sunset to achieve it.
“Also, he regretted that sunset occurred and that the ban expired. And then we talked a little about the steps that could be taken at the federal level to make sure things like this don’t happen to other communities.”
Gunman’s first court appearance
As the community mourned those who were lost, the alleged gunman is scheduled to hear the charges at a hearing Thursday.
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, was arrested on 10 counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, according to a Boulder County arrest warrant. He is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday morning, according to a statement from the Boulder County district attorney.
It is unclear if Alissa will be present, as a court document indicated that she has the right to waive her appearance in person. You will be informed of the charges you face, your rights and the next hearing date in your case, according to the statement.
“This appearance is anticipated to be the first court appearance in what is likely to be a lengthy judicial process,” the statement said. The hearing will be publicly accessible online.
Investigators are working to piece together a possible motive for the shooting, which has left questions about its location, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. Alissa lives about 30 minutes from the store and there are other grocery stores closer to her residence.
The attack is suspected of being planned because of his recent purchase of a handgun believed to have been used in the shooting and investigators are also examining possible mental health issues, the official told CNN.
The FBI is analyzing Alissa’s online activity and conducting interviews with friends and family, a law enforcement official told CNN, adding that Alissa had not previously been the subject of any FBI investigation and it appears that nothing in the federal system has given her away. it would have prohibited buying a firearm.
Two store clerks are remembered
Meanwhile, Bianca Porter, a friend of Denny Stong, 20, the youngest victim of Monday’s shooting, said she was not surprised to hear reports that Stong was trying to protect others during the shooting.
“I had no doubt that he lost his life trying to save other people, that’s what he was,” he told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Wednesday night.
She shared her favorite memory of Stong, a close friend of four who she had texted just an hour before the attack.
“Last year, on my birthday, he was one of the only people who got me a birthday present, which made me feel very special,” Porter told Burnett. “He really liked aviation and stuff, so he brought his RC [radio controlled] plane and I was controlling him over the pond and doing some really cool tricks with him. We were all laughing and having a great time. “
Porter said that Stong devoted himself to his job at the supermarket and that he had dreams of becoming a pilot.
“He was really passionate. Denny had a work ethic like no other person I’ve ever met,” Porter said. “It’s not the most interesting job, but I was looking forward to it, not once did I hear him complain about having to go to work late or something. He really did his best and had no complaints.
The 25-year-old store manager’s uncle Rikki Olds, a victim of Monday’s shooting, spoke about his personality at a press conference Wednesday.
“Rikki was the light of our family,” said Robert Olds. “When Rikki showed up at the house, we never knew what color her hair was going to be, we never knew what new tattoos she might have.
“But that was Rikki and Rikki lived life on Rikki’s terms, not on anyone else’s terms.”
Olds also said she “had dreams, ambitions” and praised her as “a strong and independent young woman.” She had planned to be a nurse, she said, but her focus was on becoming a store manager at King Soopers.
Olds said the sheer amount of support has been “overwhelming,” adding that it “just goes to show how many lives Rikki touched,” he said.
“She was a buffoon when she laughed a lot and I will really miss her,” he said. “I will really miss that personality of hers.”
This story was first published on CNN.com, “Vigils are held for the victims of the Boulder shooting as the gunman’s first court appearance is expected on Thursday.”
[ad_2]
