Remembering Denny Stong, Youngest Boulder Shooting Victim

BOULDER, CO — The youngest victim of the deadly shooting at a Boulder grocery store "was a kind soul with a funny sense of humor and unique interests," his friend said.

Denny Stong, 20, was working at the King Soopers when a shooter opened fire at the store Monday, killing him and nine other people, police said.

Stong's friend, James Noland, started a GoFundMe page in support of Stong's family.

"I have known him since I was in elementary school," Noland's post on the page read. "It was only ten days ago that we were all hanging out at Bianca's house, talking and laughing together. This is the last thing I would have ever expected."

"He did nothing wrong and deserved this in no way at all. He made no choice that led to this. He simply showed up to work, and was in the wrong place at the wrong time," the post read.

Stong loved planes, bikes and motorcycles, according to his posts on social media.

"I can't stay home, I'm a grocery store worker," Stong wrote in an open Facebook post March 22, 2020, in a show of solidarity with other front-line workers during the pandemic.

Stong graduated from Fairview High School in 2019 and dreamed of being a pilot, The Denver Post reported.

He was a member of the Boulder Aeromodeling Society, and flew model planes near the Boulder Reservoir, according to his Instagram posts.

Stong was one of three King Soopers employees killed in the shooting, The Kroger Co., which owns the King Soopers grocery store chain, said in a statement. Employees Rikki Olds and Teri Leiker also lost their lives.

"We are horrified and heartbroken over the senseless violence," Kroger said in a statement. "In the hours since the shooting, we're learning of truly heroic acts that included associates, customers and first responders selflessly helping to protect and save others."

"The entire Kroger family offers our thoughts, prayers and support to those impacted by this tragedy, including our associates, customers and first responders, and their families," the company said.

The following victims were also identified in the deadly shooting:

• Eric Talley, 51
• Neven Staisic, 23
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65

Donation campaigns are underway to help those affected by Monday's deadly shooting — learn more about how you can help here.

The city of Boulder is offering free mental health support services to community members daily at the University of Colorado Boulder Events Center, 950 Regent Drive. People can also call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

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