Blue tribute to slain cop, 51, as flashing light procession of patrol cars follows ambulance carrying his body to Boulder funeral parlor from grocery store massacre
A police procession was held on Monday night after an officer and father to seven children was among 10 people gunned down in a supermarket in Boulder.
Footage shot by a helicopter news crew captured the flashing lights of emergency vehicles as they snaked their way across the city at dusk in tribute to 51-year-old Officer Eric Talley.
The procession left from the King Soopers grocery store at around 7:45pm led by an ambulance that carried his body to a funeral home.
Along the way, officers and first responders saluted the fallen officer.
Officer Mark Bliley, head of the Boulder Police Department's union, said Talley was a close friend who was passionate about policing. Bliley said that when on the job, Talley had a unique ability to connect with people.
'He was just a highly respected, well-loved person and officer. Just a solid person…I don't know of anyone who didn't like Eric.
Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Talley had been with the Boulder Police Department since 2010.
A procession of emergency vehicles snakes their way through Boulder, Colorado on Monday night
The tribute was for a police officer who was shot dead as he attended a supermarket shooting in Boulder, Colorado.
Firefighters salute an ambulance carrying a fallen police officer as it left the King Soopers grocery store Monday evening
A procession of emergency vehicles left King Soopers grocery store where authorities confirmed that 10 people were shot dead
The procession of emergency vehicles were seen driving through Boulder Monday night in honor of slain officer Talley
'I'm grateful for the police officers that responded and I am so sorry about the loss of Officer Talley,' Herold said.
Talley had joined the force just eleven years ago at the age of 40, according to a statement from Talley's father, Homer Talley.
'He took his job as a police officer very seriously. He had seven children. The youngest is 7 year old. He loved his kids and his family more than anything. He was looking for a job to keep himself off of the front lines and was learning to be a drone operator. He didn't want to put his family through something like this and he believed in Jesus Christ,' wrote Homer.
Several other police forces in the area have tweeted their sympathies to the Boulder Police Department.
A bystander holds a Thin Blue Line flag as a procession carrying the body of the officer leaves King Sooper's grocery store
Law enforcement and emergency personnel lined the street and salute the motorcade carrying the fallen Boulder officer
A police officer salutes as a procession carrying the body of a fellow officer leaves King Sooper's grocery store where a gunman opened fire on in Boulder, Colorado
A Colorado State Patrol trooper salutes as a motorcade carrying fallen Boulder Police officer Eric Talley passes by
An ambulance carrying the fallen officer's body was the first of hundreds of emergency vehicles to lead the procession
The lights of the emergency vehicles could be seen from some distance away
A helicopter news crew was best able to capture the scene from the skies above Boulder on Monday night
'Our hearts go out to Officer Eric Talley, his family and the families of the other victims from this tragic day,' the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office tweeted:
'Our hearts and prayers are with the Boulder Police family tonight as they face the loss of a heroic brother in blue.' Colorado State Patrol wrote.
'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Boulder Police Department. To all the victims who lost their lives, and all the brave men and women who responded to the active shooter at King Soopers this afternoon', Westminster Police said.
Law enforcement personnel salute as the motorcade carrying fallen Boulder Police officer Eric Talley exits the King Soopers grocery store in Boulder
A procession of emergency vehicles are pictured leaving a King Soopers grocery store where ten people were killed
Fellow police officers stood by and saluted one of their own on Monday night as the procession made its way along
An onlooker reacts by placing their hand over their heart as a procession of emergency vehicles leaves the supermarket
Officers stand for a moment to honor their fallen comrade who lost his life during a supermarket shooting on Monday
A man holds an American flag as a procession of emergency vehicles leaves a King Soopers grocery store where a shooting took place
The gunman killed 10 people, including a police officer, at a grocery store in Colorado on Monday as footage showed a handcuffed man covered in blood and injured shoppers lying inside and outside the supermarket.
The incident unfolded just before 3pm local time at the King Soopers grocery store located at 3600 Table Mesa Drive.
Authorities have not identified the gunman. Identities of the other nine victims were not disclosed as police were still notifying their family members.
Herold who called Talley's actions 'heroic', said he was the first on the scene when he was fatally shot.
'My heart goes out to the victims of this incident,' Herold said through tears. 'I am grateful for the officers who responded.'
District Attorney Michael Dougherty said Talley's 'life was cut much too short'. He also expressed condolences to the families of the nine other victims and promised a 'painstaking investigation'.
'This is a tragedy and a nightmare for Boulder County,' Dougherty said. 'These were people going about their day, doing their shopping. I promise the victims and the people of the state of Colorado that we will secure justice.'
In addition, Dougherty confirmed that the shirtless and bleeding man shown in video footage after the shooting is the alleged shooter, who is in custody.
The man, who is now being treated for his injuries, was seen with blood running down his leg while he was handcuffed. No charges have been filed.
A motive for the shooting has not been determined but an AR-15 style rifle is believed to have been used.
Sarah Moonshadow is comforted by David and Maggie Talley after Moonshadow was inside King Soopers grocery store during a shooting in Boulder on Monday
A law enforcement officer speaks with a woman outside the perimeter of a shooting site at King Soopers grocery store in Boulder on Monday
Shortly after learning of the incident, Colorado Gov Jared Polis said in a statement: 'My heart is breaking as we watch this unspeakable event unfold in our Boulder community. We are making every public safety resource available to assist the Boulder County Sheriff's Department as they work to secure the store.
'I'm incredibly grateful to the brave men and women who have responded to the scene to help the victims of this senseless tragedy.'
The governor continued: 'This is very much an active situation and we continue to monitor very closely. We ask for your patience as law enforcement works tirelessly to secure the site. Right now, the biggest priority is to let local law enforcement and the City of Boulder do their work to ensure the safety of those involved.'
Boulder Mayor Sam Weaver said that 'words can do no justice to the tragedy that has unfolded this afternoon'.
'Our community will soon grieve our losses, and begin our healing. Our brave police officers and first responders have the gratitude of our entire city.'
White House press secretary Jen Psaki shared Monday evening that President Joe Biden 'has been briefed on the shooting in Colorado and he will be kept up to date by his team as there are additional developments'.
A shirtless man with blood running down his leg was escorted out of the store in handcuffs by two police officers, a live TV feed showed
It's unclear if the man with the bleeding leg (pictured in handcuffs) is the suspected gunman
The shirtless man is seen being loaded onto a stretcher after the shooting on Monday
Heavily-armed officers are seen standing outside the supermarket on Monday afternoon
Boulder (depicted) is located about 25 miles northwest of Denver
In a statement, a King Soopers spokesperson offered 'condolences, thoughts and prayers to employees, customers and first responders' but said that they will direct questions to law enforcement.
As the incident unfolded, officers from the Boulder Police Department warned locals to 'avoid the area'.
One person was taken from the shooting scene to Foothills Hospital in Boulder, said Rich Sheehan, spokesman for Boulder Community Health, which operates the hospital.
However, they did not release the condition of the patient.
One video of the incident from YouTube shows two victims lying on the ground in the parking lot of the store.
At least one victim is seen lying on the floor inside the store just moments before more gunshots are heard. Local reports say one victim is a police officer.
Television helicopter video showed law enforcement vehicles and officers massing outside, including SWAT teams, and at least three helicopters on the roof of the store in Boulder, about 25 miles northwest of Denver.
![District Attorney Michael Dougherty (pictured) said during the press conference that an investigation is underway and 'crime scene analysts are [still] inside the building processing evidence'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/03/23/04/40809924-9391749-District_Attorney_Michael_Dougherty_pictured_said_during_the_pre-a-14_1616475529097.jpg)
District Attorney Michael Dougherty (pictured) said during the press conference that an investigation is underway and 'crime scene analysts are [still] inside the building processing evidence'
Healthcare workers were rushed out of the King Soopers grocery store after a gunman opened fire inside
Shoppers held hands as they were evacuated from the supermarket by police officers Monday afternoon
An emotional healthcare worker is seen standing outside the supermarket after being rushed to safety
Women hug on the corner of Broadway and Table Mesa Drive near a King Soopers grocery store following the shooting
Healthcare workers, who were administering COVID vaccinations at the store's pharmacy, and shoppers are tended to after being evacuated from the store
Tactical police units respond to the scene of King Soopers. The windows of the store were left broken, likely from gunfire
Officers from the Boulder Police Department are seen standing outside the grocery store on Monday
SWAT teams descend from the roof of a King Soopers grocery store after the shooting
A SWAT team member runs toward the King Soopers grocery store where a gunman opened fire on Monday in Boulder
Just before 4.30pm local time, Boulder police tweeted: 'Please avoid the area of Table Mesa & Broadway! This is still a very active scene. Do NOT broadcast on social media any tactical information you might see.
'We will continue to tweet updates as we have them. If you live nearby please stay inside for now.'
About 45 minutes later, police tweeted: 'Emergency notification just went out: Boulder police asking people near 17th and Grove to shelter in place while they respond to report of armed, dangerous individual'.
'PD is investigating to determine if this is related to King Soopers shooting.'
Later Monday evening, police said the shelter in place notice at 17th and Grove was lifted and they said that this incident was not related to the King Soopers shooting.
Officers were seen with their guns drawn, and some windows at the front of the store were broken.
Authorities over a loudspeaker said the building was surrounded and that 'you need to surrender.' They said to come out with hands up and unarmed.
An ambulance pulled away from the store, apparently carrying the bleeding man brought out of the store in handcuffs.
Police stand outside the King Soopers grocery store where the deadly shooting took place on Monday afternoon
Officers are seen on an armored truck as it approaches the scene of the shooting on Monday
Law enforcement officers sweep the parking lot at the site of a shooting on Monday
An armored vehicle is seen parked outside the supermarket on Monday
Law enforcement officers sweep the area outside of the King Soopers grocery store
Shoppers are escorted out of a King Soopers grocery where a gunman opened fire on Monday
Investigators are seen wearing protective gear as they walk inside the supermarket on Monday
After the man was escorted from the store, several minutes later, a line of people who appeared to have been shopping at the time were seen being taken to safety.
Dean Schiller told The Associated Press that he had just left the supermarket when he heard gunshots and saw three people lying face down, two in the parking lot and one near the doorway. He said he 'couldn't tell if they were breathing'.
Sarah Moonshadow told the Denver Post that two shots rang out just after she and her son, Nicolas Edwards, finished buying strawberries. She said she told her son to get down and then 'we just ran'.
Once they got outside, she said they saw a body in the parking lot. Edwards said police were speeding into the lot and pulled up next to the body.
'I knew we couldn't do anything for the guy,' he said. 'We had to go.'
James Bentz told the Post that he was in the meat section when he heard what he thought was a misfire, then a series of pops.
'I was then at the front of a stampede,' he said. Bentz said he jumped off a loading dock out back to escape and that younger people were helping older people off of it.
One video of the incident from YouTube shows two victims (circled) lying on the ground in the parking lot of the store
At least one victim is seen lying on the floor inside the store just moments before more gunshots are heard. Local reports say one victim is a police officer
Two people are seen being escorted to safety by three officers
Officers and EMTs are seen standing outside the grocery store where the incident occurred
Police work on the scene outside a King Soopers grocery store where a shooting took place Monday
Ryan Borowski told CNN that he was in the store when the shooter opened fire.
'We told employees what was going on so everybody helped each other and we just ran to safety as quickly as we could,' Borowski said.
'I didn't see the shooter. I saw terrified faces running towards me and that's when I turned and ran the other direction.
Borowski said that Boulder 'feels like the safest spot in America and I just nearly got killed for getting a soda, you know, and a bag of chips. Doesn't feel good'.
A man who said he was shopping at the store told KCNC-TV that he heard 'one loud bang, thought somebody just dropped something an employee or something, and then another, and then by the third one, everybody was running'.
He said they ran to the back of the store, found the employee area and workers told them how to escape. He said they walked single file, with their arms on the backs of those in front of them.
Another man told KCNC said his family was inside the pharmacy at King Soopers to get a Covid-19 vaccine when the shooter entered the building.
'I got the call from my daughter and my grandchildren that my son-in-law walked into the pharmacy for him to get a Covid-19 shot and the shooter came in, shot the woman in front of them,' the man told the station.
He said his family then hid in a closet for an hour before they were rescued.
'They were texting, hiding in the coat closet. Turned their phone off and were going 'we're hiding, we're okay' you know, 'don't call' you know the phone would ring and give away their position,' he added.
Police officers stand outside the parking lot of the King Soopers grocery store in Boulder
Police officers and an ambulance are seen at the scene where an active shooter was reported at a grocery store in Boulder
Police respond to the scene of a King Soopers grocery store after the shooting on Monday
Law enforcement SWAT teams from Jefferson County and Boulder were dispatched to the market in the southern part of the city of Boulder.
The FBI is also on the scene.
'At the request of the Boulder Police Department, FBI Denver personnel are assisting with an investigation into an active shooter situation at a King Soopers grocery store on Table Mesa Drive in Boulder,' the FBI's Denver branch tweeted.
One man told KDVR that he was 'terrified' and 'in shock initially when we realized what was happening'.
The man said he was on his to pick up coffee from King Soopers when the shooting started.
Through tears, he noted that 'people my age, my generation are used to this'.
A person who answered the telephone at a nearby sandwich shop said he and his employees were locked down in the back of the store and all were safe.
Someone who answered the phone at nail studio next door said she and her colleagues were safe. Neither had details on what happened at the market across the street.
The attack was the seventh mass killing this year in the US, following the March 16 shooting that left eight people dead at three Atlanta-area massage businesses, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University.
It follows a lull in mass killings during the pandemic in 2020, which had the smallest number of such attacks in more than a decade, according to the database, which tracks mass killings defined as four or more dead, not including the shooter.
Police in Atlanta are still investigating suspected gunman Robert Aaron Long's motive in connection with the shooting on Tuesday. The FBI is assisting with the investigation.
All eight deceased victims were identified as: Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33; Paul Andre Michels, 54; Xiaojie Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; Soon C. Park, 44; Hyun J. Grant, 51; Suncha Kim, 69, and 63-year-old Yong Yue.
Long, a 21-year-old Atlanta-area resident who is white, told police that sexual frustration led him to commit the violence.
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