The Colorado Shooter Who Killed 10 Was a Syrian-American

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The grocery store shooter in Colorado, USA, has been identified as a Syrian immigrant in his 20s.

According to the Associated Press and others on the 23rd (local time), Boulder Police in Colorado announced that Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is the suspect. Alissa, 21 years old this year, was born in Syria in 1999 and immigrated to the United States in 2002 as a citizen.

He opened fire at the grocery store "King Soopers" in Boulder, Colorado, the day before. This occurred just six days after eight people were killed in a shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 16th.

At least 10 people, including one police officer, died in this tragedy. The police charged Alissa with 10 counts of first-degree murder.

Colorado shooting suspect Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa
[Photo by Reuters]

Alissa used an AR-15 style assault semi-automatic rifle and a semi-automatic pistol, and did not hesitate to commit brutal acts such as confirming the death of an elderly person who had fallen.

There is also evidence that he prepared for the shooting in advance. According to the police, six days before the incident, on the 16th, he purchased an AR-556 semi-automatic pistol and even played with the gun in front of his family.

Alissa is currently detained at Boulder County Jail. While the motive for the crime has not yet been revealed, investigators are focusing on the possibility of a lone perpetrator.

Since Colorado abolished the death penalty last year, if found guilty, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

The Associated Press reported, "During high school, Alissa was ordered to undergo anger management therapy after assaulting a classmate for making racist remarks, and after losing a wrestling match, he shouted 'I will kill everyone,' leading to his expulsion from the school wrestling team."

Meanwhile, Facebook shut down Alissa's Facebook and Instagram accounts on the same day. His Facebook reportedly contained posts expressing strong anti-Islam, racist, and anti-homosexual sentiments.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.