THE suspected Bouler "shooter" Ahmad Alissa was "known to the feds" and was able to buy an assault rifle despite being "accused of assault," reports say.
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, who has been charged after rampaging through King Soopers grocery store with an AR-15-style rifle, leaving 10 dead – and he was apparently known to the FBI.
He bought a firearm on March 16 six days before the shooting, according to an affidavit released on Tuesday.
The resulting bloodbath on Monday night prompted President Joe Biden to call on Congress to tighten gun laws today.
The New York Times reported that Ahmad had two run-ins with Boulder cops in 2018: one on a report of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, and one of criminal mischief.
It is not clear if he was convicted of a crime.
Ahmad was allegedly known by the FBI because he was linked to another individual under investigation by the bureau.
According to a police affidavit obtained by the New York Post, Alissa asked to speak to his mom as he surrendered.
The Times noted that he had purchased a Ruger AR-556 semiautomatic pistol less than a week ago but it's not clear if that's the weapon involved in Monday's mass shooting.
He's he is facing 10 counts of murder and was taken to jail after being hospitalized with a leg wound.
WHAT WE KNOW:
- Ten people died in a gun massacre at a supermarket in Boulder.
- Witnesses said a man in tactical body armor shot victims one by one
- Blood-soaked suspect in underwear led away in handcuffs.
- The injured "gunman" was taken to hospital for treatment.
- Boulder cop Eric Talley, 51, was killed when he responded
- Suspect named as Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa on Monday
- Police confirm 10 victims' names ranging in age from 20 to 65
Footage showed a man – later identified by cops as Alissa – covered in blood being led away in handcuffs as terrified survivors told how they fled yesterday afternoon's massacre in Boulder.
Along with Officer Eric Talley, the other victims were: Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jody Waters, 65.
Biden today urged the senate to approve gun legislation recently passed in the House, which includes stricter background checks for online or private gun purchases and those bought at gun shows.
The president said: "Less than a week after the horrific murders of eight people and the assault on the AAPI community in Georgia, while the flag was still flying at half-staff for the tragedy, another American city has been scarred by gun violence and the resulting trauma.
"I hate to say it, because we're saying it so often, my heart goes out – our hearts go out for the survivors who had to flee for their lives and who hid, terrified, unsure if they would ever see their families or their friends again."
"I don’t need to wait another minute — or another hour — to take common sense steps that will save lives in the future," he told reporters. "We should also ban assault weapons in the process."
After Biden's press briefing, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told pool reporters onboard Air Force One that he hasn't ruled out taking action on it
Psaki said Biden was referring to his commitment to "work on gun safety measures" and noted that there was a "range of levers legislation working through Congress."
Biden's press secretary said that she wouldn't expect to see a new proposal passed 24 hours in under 24 hours but said the administration would continue to work with lawmakers, however.
"There remain a range of options under consideration, and obviously tragedies like last night and then shootings in Atlanta are just reminders of how vital it is to move forward on gun safety measures," she concluded
Alissa's older brother has since told The Daily Beast that Ahmad was "very anti-social, paranoid, mentally ill, and obsessed over someone being "behind him" or "looking for him" during high school.
The suspect's brother told the Beast that his house was searched by authorities following the shooting.
According to a Facebook page, that appeared to be Ahmad's, he was "born in Syria 1999" before he "came to the USA in 2002."
Alissa posted regularly on Facebook and one post included the hashtag "NeedAGirlfriend," while others were memes about video games.
He also made a claim that "racist Islamophobic people" were "hacking my phone" and stopping him from having a "normal life."
His school, Arvada West High School, confirmed to The Sun that Alissa was a student from March 2015 until he graduated in May 2018.
"Jeffco Public Schools and the Board of Education are saddened by the tragic event that took place in Boulder," the school said.
"We share the heartbreak of the families, coworkers, and friends of the victims and of the Colorado community that again faces another senseless act of violence."
Source: Read Full Article
