Man Who Killed 10 People at Colorado Supermarket Receives Prison Sentence

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa has been convicted and sentenced for the Colorado mass shooting that resulted in 10 deaths.

At a Glance

Ahmad Alissa was sentenced to multiple life terms plus 1,334 years in prison.
The jury convicted him on all 55 charges related to the 2021 Boulder mass shooting.
Alissa’s defense argued his actions were due to severe mental illness, but the prosecution demonstrated he planned the attack.
Family members of victims expressed relief at the sentencing outcome.

Details of the Sentencing

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa has been sentenced to 10 life terms plus an additional 1,334 years in state prison following his conviction for a mass shooting at a Boulder, Colorado, grocery store in March 2021. The shooting resulted in the death of 10 people, including Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley. Judge Ingrid Bakke issued the sentence after the jury found Alissa guilty of multiple crimes.

The jury convicted Alissa on all 55 charges, encompassing 38 charges of attempted murder, one count of assault, and six counts of possessing illegal, large-capacity magazines. Despite his mental illness diagnosis, psychologists testified that Alissa understood right from wrong at the time of the shooting.

A mentally ill man who killed 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 was sentenced Monday to life in prison after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. https://t.co/qsVJVDPBje

— WAND TV News (@wandtvnews) September 24, 2024

Arguments from Both Sides

During the trial, Alissa’s defense attorneys argued he was not guilty by reason of insanity, citing his schizophrenia diagnosis and claims of hearing voices. Despite these claims, the prosecution contended that he meticulously planned the attack for several months. In his closing statements, Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty emphasized the deliberate nature of Alissa’s actions, asserting, “This was not about mental illness. This was about brutal, intentional violence.”

Nikolena Stanisic, whose sibling Neven was murdered in the attack, said, “To the person that’s done this, we hope that you suffer for the rest of your life. You are a coward. I hope this haunts the defendant until the end of time. The defendant deserves the absolute worst.”

Reactions from Victims’ Families and Officials

Many family members of the victims expressed relief and satisfaction with the verdict and the sentencing. “Today we bring what has been a really painful chapter in the criminal court to its rightful end,” said District Attorney Michael Dougherty.

Aside from the courtroom’s somber atmosphere, there were mixed feelings among the families. Some expressed forgiveness while others voiced their continued grief and hope for future accountability. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn commended the bravery of the officers who responded to the scene, recognizing their prompt action.

As the community begins to heal from this tragedy, the extensive sentence handed down by Judge Ingrid Bakke ensures Ahmad Alissa will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“Justice has finally been done,” declared Dougherty, marking a significant closure for the victims’ families and the broader Boulder community.