Boulder King Soopers Reopens 11 Months After Mass Shooting

BOULDER, CO —Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting, Wednesday morning's reopening ceremony at the Table Mesa King Soopers store where 10 people were killed in a 2021 mass shooting, ended with a ribbon tying.

"We are tying (two ribbons) together to signify strength unity and unbreakable spirit of associates and our community," said Jessica Trowbridge, corporate affairs manager for King Soopers and City Market.

The moment was the end of an emotional ceremony as state and local officials, store management and workers, first responders and community members, including victims' families, gathered at the site of the March 22, 2001 attack. Ahmad Al Aliwa Alissa, from Arvada, has been accused of the shooting and charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder.

"Today brings a flood of emotions for those who were here at the time, for those who might have been here at the time, whether you lost someone you loved or knew or worked with, whether you were shopping at the store," said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who said the last time he had been at the store was to lay flowers in the wake of the tragedy. "Today we celebrate a small step forward that we're building back and reopening."

The ceremony, which was held in front of the remodeled store, at 3600 Table Mesa Dr., began with the University of Colorado Boulder marching band leading in the group of first responders.

The names of the 10 victims were read on multiple occasions, including by Kelli McGannon, director of public affairs for King Soopers, who announced that a commemorative tree garden would be planted on the west corner of the property with 10 trees, one in honor of each of the victims. McGannon said the garden would be open to the public this summer.

Polis also read the names of the victims.

"Their names have been said once, their names will be said again, their names will be forever remembered in the 10 trees that will stand tall to remind us of the dark day of evil that occurred here," Polis said.

One of the victims was 51-year-old Eric Talley, a Boulder Police officer, who was the first officer to arrive at the scene when the gunman opened fire inside the store. Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett paid tribute to Talley.

"We owe a particular debt to officer Talley, who lost his life while on the job for the city," Brockett said. "He selflessly charged into the building to protect people. It's a debt we can never repay and we're grateful for his sacrifice."

In addition to the mass shooting, the Boulder area also experienced the Marshall Fire in late December — and it continues to deal with a global pandemic — and several speakers talked about the resilience of the people in the area, who have been forced to deal with so much tragedy.

With that in mind, Joe Kelly, president of King Soopers, and Sherry Bosman, store manager of the Table Mesa location, presented a $500,000 check to the Community Foundation of Boulder CEO Tatiana Hernandez, designed to help the organization continue to assist the community in its recovery from the fire.

Later, King Soopers announced that it was naming a 30-Year Ring Award in honor of Teri Leiker, one of three King Soopers employees killed during the shooting.

Leiker worked for the company for over 30 years. At Wednesday's ceremony, the award was presented by Leiker's mother to two current employees who have been with the company for 30 years.

Kelly also paid tribute to the employees of the store. Approximately 50 percent of the 200 employees who worked at the store prior to the shooting have returned, the company said.

"What you've been through, from unthinkable, senseless tragedy, to having to leave the store for over a year to work in different locations, fighting through the pandemic, taking care of yourselves and your families, then most recently the fire," Kelly said. "The courage, strength and resiliency that you showed is truly remarkable."

Brockett acknowledged that it might be difficult for many in the community to return to the store, but he said it was an important next step in moving forward after the tragedy.

"I know re-entering the store will be difficult for many impacted by the tragedy," Brockett said. "I encourage you to walk shoulder to shoulder with the many other community members. We are here for you, this is our store, our community, let's reclaim it together."