Officer Eric Talley Among 10 Killed In Boulder King Soopers Shooting
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- One police officer was among 10 people killed in the King Soopers shooting in Boulder on Monday afternoon. Boulder police rushed to an active shooter call at a King Soopers on Table Mesa Drive near South Broadway about 2:30 p.m.
"I want to say our hearts of this community go out to the victims of this horrific incident," said an emotional Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold. She identified the officer who died as Eric Talley. She says he was first to arrive at the scene and called his actions "heroic."
Talley was 51 years old. He was with the department since 2010.
"His life was cut much too short," said Michael Dougherty, Boulder's district attorney. He said his office will investigate the crime thoroughly.
He had seven children, ages 5 to 18, Chief Herold said.
The remaining nine victims have not yet been identified.
"Obviously this is a very complex investigation that will take no less than five days to complete," said Herold.
"We do have a person of interest in custody. That person was injured during the incident and that person is being treated for injuries," said Boulder Police Cmdr. Kerry Yamaguchi.
Herold said the suspect had a "patrol rifle."
Police did confirm that the public is not in any danger.
Customers inside the store described the scene as a gunman opened fire.
One man without a shirt on was walked out of the store in handcuffs about an hour after the first call. It appears his right leg was covered in blood. He was led to an ambulance and taken away to a local hospital.
Dozens of law enforcement agencies participated in a procession for Talley at around 7:45 p.m.
Boulder resident Bruce Edwards is honoring the officer killed in the line of duty.
"It just doesn't stop, it just keeps going," Edwards told CBS4's Andrea Flores. "I just want to honor the responders and honor the officer that lost their life."
The community came together for a procession Monday night near the intersection of Table Mesa Drive and Broadway.
"This can happen anywhere, and it happens within a mile from where my girlfriend and I live," said Edwards.
Residents from around the area, including Zachary Smith, showed up at the scene to pay their respects.
"It's a bad day in Boulder," said Smith. "I've lived in Boulder 23 years. I was born and raised here, mom went to CU Boulder. My dad is a police officer in Adams County. I've never seen anything like this."
Smith says the shooting that leaves one officer dead hits especially close to home.
"My dad puts on his uniform every day and that could've been him," Smith said. "He could've been the officer that got shot."
As Colorado reflects on a devastating day in Boulder, residents are thankful to the men and women who rushed in to save lives.
"They have a community that supports them," Edwards said.
Gov. Jared Polis shared another statement about the shooting which reads in part: "Today we saw the face of evil. I am grieving with my community and all Coloradans."
The King Soopers and surrounding area were expected to be blocked off to the public for some time, according to the Boulder Police Department. Everyone is urged to avoid the area during the investigation.
Anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect is urged to contact the Boulder Police Department at (303) 441-3333.
