A shooting in Boulder, Colorado Monday afternoon claimed the lives of ten individuals, including a police officer, authorities said during a press conference Monday evening.
The shooting, which occurred inside the King Soopers grocery store at about 2:30 p.m., ended with a male suspect in custody, though authorities did not reveal his identity or a possible motive.
Witnesses told local television stations that the gunman suddenly opened fire, panicking the shopping crowd who were running for cover and out the mall even as authorities rushed in. The gunman is said to have used an AR-style firearm during the attack, according to law enforcement officials.
Calls were made to 911 from inside the store, with at least one caller stating that the shooter appeared to be wearing body armor, according radio signals from Boulder police captured by Broadcastify.
Multiple videos of the scene outside the grocery store showed police with their weapons ready as the situation was unfolding. Later Monday evening, a live television feed showed officers escorting the suspect — who appeared to be limping and bleeding — to a police vehicle.
Eric Talley, 51, was identified as the police officer killed during the incident. He was a member of the Boulder Police Department since 2010. Fighting back tears, Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Mr. Talley was the first to respond to the shooting, with the police chief describing Mr. Talley's efforts as "heroic."
Mr. Talley had seven children, the youngest being 7 years old, said his father Homer Talley.
Mr. Talley joined the police force later in life because he was a computer scientist by training. He joined because he wanted to protect people, his father said. In recent times, he had told his father about taking up a less dangerous job, perhaps as a drone operator at the police department so that he could be there for his family.
“It’s rough as you can imagine, but we know where he is,” said Homer Talley. “We have comfort in our faith.”
The investigation into the incident includes assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for Colorado Matthew Kirsch said.
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