A judge reportedly blocked enforcement of an assault-weapons ban in Boulder, Colorado, just 10 days before a manopened fire inside a supermarket in the city, killing 10 people.
According toThe Denver Post, the Boulder City Council previously voted unanimously to pass a ban preventing the sale of both assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in the municipality back in May 2018.
But on March 12, Boulder County District Court JudgeAndrew Hartmanruled that he couldn’t enforce the ban in Boulder because of state laws that say individual cities cannot override state or federal law concerning the sale of firearms, the outlet reports.
“These provisions are invalid, and enforcement of them is enjoined,” wrote Hartman in the ruling,according to thePost.
“The Court has determined that only Colorado state (or federal) law can prohibit the possession, sale and transfer of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines,” he added.
Police initially received reports of anactive shooter at a King Soopers grocery storein Boulder around 2:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon.
According to witnesses, the shooter entered the store and immediately began shooting. A shopper who was inside the store toldThe Denver Postthat the shooter entered the building, “let off a couple of shots, then was silent, and then he let off a couple more.”
Scene in Boulder, Colorado, after shooting.Chet Strange/Getty
One man, Ryan Borowski, toldCNNhe ran for cover after he heard gunshots while at the store to pick up soda and snacks. “We just all ran to the back of the store and out the back door and employees showed us the way,” he said, in part. “And we told the employees what was going on. So everybody helped each other and we just ran to safety as quickly as we could.”
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Kim Cordova, president of the local union United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7,described the grocery-store workers as heroes.
“We know that when they heard gunshots, some of the workers grabbed coworkers, also led customers out to safety through various exits throughout the store, including the back dock and the back area of the store,” Cordova told9NEWSin a statement.
“They work during every manmade or natural disaster, and now, they again stepped up helped save customers and members of the community,” she added. “They continue to be heroes.”
For more details on the mass shooting in Boulder, listen below to the episode of PEOPLE Every Day.
During a press conference on Tuesday morning, thevictims were identifiedas Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Teri Leiker, 51; OfficerEric Talley, 51; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jody Waters, 65.
The suspected shooter was identified as 21-year-old Ahmad Alissa of Arvada, Colorado. “There was an exchange of gunfire and the suspect was shot,” said Boulder Police ChiefMaris Heroldat the press conference. “The suspect in stable condition and was taken for treatment.”
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Scene in Boulder, Colorado, after shooting.Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Scene in Boulder, Colorado, after shooting.JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images
“I am so sorry this incident happened,” Herold told reporters. “We are going to do everything in our powerto make sure that this suspecthas a through trial and thorough investigation.”
Alissa has been charged with 10 counts of murder, according to Herold. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney authorized to speak on his behalf.
Boulder County District AttorneyMichael Doughertytold reporters that authorities have not yet identified a motive in the shooting, but that they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community.
“At this time, we’ll say that the community is safe,” Dougherty said, adding that he will also pursue justice for the 10 victims and their families.
source: people.com
