Boulder DA To File Additional Charges Against Alleged Shooter, Defense Brings Up Mental Illness

Boulder shooter Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa makes court appearance
Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post, Pool
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, appears before Boulder District Court Judge Thomas Mulvahill at the Boulder County Justice Center in Boulder, Colorado on March 25, 2021.

Updated 9:52 a.m.

Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty said on Thursday that he expects to file additional charges against the 21-year-old alleged shooter in the deadly Boulder grocery store rampage.

In his first court appearance in Boulder County, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa was rolled into the courtroom in a wheelchair. Alissa was shot in his right thigh by police in the grocery store. He was treated at a local hospital before being turned over to authorities on Monday. He was mostly expressionless in his blue jail uniform and white mask. 

The hearing lasted minutes. Alissa was advised of his rights to a jury trial and a preliminary hearing.

“Sir, do you understand these rights as I’ve described to you?”

“Yes,” he said.

One of Alissa’s public defenders, Kathryn Herold, requested a status hearing ahead of a proof evident presumption great hearing or a preliminary hearing, saying they are doing a full mental health evaluation.

“We cannot do anything until we are fully able to assess Mr. Alissa’s mental illness,” Herold said.

Alissa currently faces 11 charges, including 10 counts of first-degree murder. He is accused of killing 10 people in the parking lot and inside the store, including a responding Boulder Police officer.

In addition to Officer Eric Talley, 51, the victims include 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 Jodi Waters, 65.

Dougherty said he will file more charges within two weeks.

“The crime scene has not been completed,” he said to Judge Thomas Mulvahill. “We will be filing additional charges in the additional weeks.”

A status hearing will be set within 60 to 90 days in front of a different judge, Ingrid Bakke, who will take over the case.

Until then, Alissa will be held without bond.

Editor’s Note: CPR News includes the name of an alleged shooter only when it is critical to the story.