Boulder commemorates two-year anniversary of King Soopers shooting

Mar. 22—On the two-year anniversary of the shooting at the Table Mesa King Soopers that claimed 10 lives, the Boulder community gathered Wednesday evening to mourn and honor the lives lost.

This year's Boulder Strong Day of Remembrance, held at the eTown Hall at 1535 Spruce St., drew roughly 200 people, according to Julie Causa, a spokesperson for the city of Boulder. Numerous city council members and members of the Boulder County District Attorney's office were present.

Pam Davis, Boulder's assistant city manager, said this year's event was about giving family and friends of the shooting victims a chance to give remarks to the community and commemorate the victim's lives through "art and liveliness."

"I'm really proud to work for a city that's committed to ensuring that we continue learning lessons from what happened and leaning into the love and community that we have here," Davis said. "And I think this event, and the investment in it, is a real reflection of that. It's been amazing the way every sector of the community has come together to really support this happening."

After the doors opened at 5 p.m., attendees were greeted in the lobby by partners from the Boulder Strong Resource Center, who provide support and resources for those affected by the shooting. A small plexiglass display from the Boulder Museum filled with artifacts from the original grocery store memorial sat on the side of the room. Upstairs in the auditorium, where the event was to be held, the melodies of cellist Kari Clifton and keyboardist Adam Bodine filled the room as people began to find their seats.

At 5:30 p.m., the event began with Revs. Nicole M. Lamarche and Anne Richter leading the crowd in prayer, the lighting of electric candles, and a moment of silence for the victims. Mayor Aaron Brockett then read the City Council's Declaration of the Boulder Day of Remembrance, and Gov. Jared Polis gave opening remarks.

"There's always a before and after in tragedies like this. A split marks who we were then and who we are now," Polis said to the audience. "I know the impact of this tragedy will be with all of us — first and foremost, the loved ones left behind, but, of course, all of us who live in Boulder, every Coloradan and everyone who came to know this tragedy across the country and across the world — each of us has to find a way to move forward and to heal. It's never a linear process."

The rest of the evening featured a medley of musical performances and poignant words spoken by close family members of the shooting victims. Phi Bernier, the life partner of Suzanne Fountain, who was killed in the shooting and was formerly the house manager at eTown, played guitar and sung an emotional rendition of a song he wrote called "I Know."

Some family members who spoke took the opportunity to advocate for changes. Ellen Mahoney, wife of shooting victim Kevin Mahoney, spoke of feeling "lost" after the shooting, and called on those present in the audience to help create a more peaceful society.

"We need to address mental health issues, to prevent gun violence and ban assault weapons," Mahoney said. "Most of us are good, loving people. And we want to live in a safe and peaceful world. That's not too much to ask."

Bob Olds, uncle of Rikki Olds, said his niece had been a "bright light in a dark and tumultuous world," and he called on Polis to ensure that the shooter would stand trial. The shooter, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, has been deemed unfit to stand trial, and the state hospital has not yet decided whether to re-evaluate him.

Boulder Police Chief Meris Herold paid tribute to Officer Eric Talley, who lost his life in the shooting, as well as the other members of the community who died.

"(The victims) were more than people who were loved," said Herold. "They were weavers, ... people who lived quietly, creating connections, inspiring hope and leading with love."

After several other family members of victims gave heartfelt remarks, the evening closed with remarks by City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde and a performance of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Hazel Miller.

T. Valladares, a local singer-songwriter and former teacher, said afterward it had been a "very touching and heartfelt" event that he hoped would bring closure for the families. He said he and his wife knew several people who worked at the King Soopers and the event had affected them personally.

"You never get over it," Valladares said. "Your heart really goes out. You want to move on but you're still stuck."

In addition to Fountain, Kevin Mahoney, Rikki Olds and Talley, Denny Stong, Neven Stanisic, Tralona Bartkowiak, Teri Leiker, Lynn Murray and Jody Waters were killed in the shooting.