The suspect in the mass shooting that took place in Boulder, Colorado, last Monday has been moved from Boulder County Jail after unidentified inmates made threats against the alleged shooter’s safety, local CBS affiliate 11 News reports.
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, faces 10 charges of first-degree murder for the shooting that took place at King Soopers, along with one count of attempted murder for firing at a police officer. He appeared before a judge on Thursday for the first time in the case, and 11 News notes that Alissa kept quiet for most of the proceedings, only speaking when the judge asked if he understood his rights.
Law enforcement was forced to move Alissa after inmates at Boulder County Jail made threats against his safety. Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Division Chief Jeff Goetz did not provide any details about the threats, and did not say where Alissa had been moved to.
Prosecutors said law enforcement is still processing the scene of the crime, and that they expect to file more charges in the next few weeks. Investigators note that Alissa has refused to answer their questions about any possible motive for the crime or why he targeted that particular location, which was about a 30-minute drive from his home in Arvada.
An attorney representing Alissa told the court that their client may have a mental illness, which they referenced when asking the court to postpone their next date.
“We cannot do anything until we are able to fully assess Mr. Alissa’s mental illness,” said attorney Kathryn Herold during the hearing, according to The New York Times.
“We cannot begin to assess the nature and depth of Mr. Alissa’s mental illness until we have the discovery from the government,” she added.
Judge Thomas F. Mulvahill said the next hearing would take place “about 60 to 90 days.”
He added, “I want to make sure that the defense has ample opportunity to prepare to move forward.”
Law enforcement told CNN Alissa purchased a gun just days before the shooting took place, a Ruger AR-556, and that he passed a background check at the time.
“We are absolutely shocked by what happened and our hearts are broken for the victims and families that are left behind,” said John Mark Eagleton, who owns the Eagles Nest Armory in Arvada, where the weapon was purchased. He added that the store “will continue to fully cooperate” with the investigation.
“Ensuring every sale that occurs at our shop is lawful, has always been and will always remain the highest priority for our business,” he added.
“Regarding the firearm in question, a background check of the purchaser was conducted as required by Colorado law and approval for the sale was provided by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.”
Source: Newmax
