King Soopers Shooting: Alissa Found Incompetent To Stand Trial

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — The man accused of killing 10 people at a Boulder King Soopers store has been deemed incompetent to stand trial, according to court documents. A second evaluation has been granted for him.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa's first evaluation was conducted by doctors to find out whether Alissa is able to help his lawyers defense and understand court proceedings. The evaluation is a separate legal issue than a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, which hinges on whether someone's mental health prevented them from knowing right from wrong when a crime was committed.

Alissa is accused of killing nine shoppers and workers inside and outside the store and one of the first three police officers who entered the store.

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He has also been charged with attempted first-degree murder over firing at 26 other people, including 11 law enforcement officers, investigators said. Alissa is also accused of unlawfully possessing 10 high-capacity ammunition magazines, devices banned in Colorado after previous mass shootings.

Investigators have not released a possible motive for the March 22 attack.

Based in part on an evaluation it arranged, the defense claims there is a "reasonable belief" that Alissa suffers from an unspecified "mental disability." The details about why are not known, contained in a court filing sealed under state law.

If Alissa is found incompetent a second time, he could not go on trial unless he can be treated to make him well enough to at least be able to understand proceedings and help his lawyers.

Read also:

• Remembering The 10 Boulder Shooting Victims: Who They Were
• 'Teri Leiker Act' Signed In Honor Of King Soopers Shooting Victim
• Colorado's New Gun Laws Take Effect: What To Know

The Associated Press contributed to this report.