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Suspected Killer of 10 Denied Bail in Colorado

VOA News

   A judge in the U.S. state of Colorado has ordered the suspected killer
   of 10 people at a supermarket to remain in jail without bond.

   Authorities have charged 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa with 10
   counts of murder in connection with the mass shooting at a grocery
   store on Monday in the city of Boulder, about 45 kilometers northwest
   of Denver.

   Judge Thomas Mulvahill granted a request Thursday from Alissa's lawyers
   to delay the preliminary hearing by up to three months to have him
   undergo a mental health assessment.

   Alissa's lawyers did not provide details about his condition, but a law
   enforcement official briefed on the killings previously said family
   members informed investigators of their belief he was mentally ill.

   Alissa surrendered his right to a preliminary hearing within 35 days to
   allow time for the mental health examination.

   Thursday was the first time Alissa appeared in public since his arrest
   on Monday inside the supermarket where the killings occurred.

   Alissa acknowledged he understood his legal rights, including that he
   would be held without bail.

   The fatal mass shooting prompted U.S. President Joe Biden to call
   Tuesday for a nationwide ban on assault weapons.

   Speaking at the White House, Biden said, "I don't need to wait a
   minute, let alone an hour, to take common sense steps to save lives."

   He urged members of the House and Senate to act.

   "We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines," Biden said,
   noting that he worked on similar legislation when he was a senator and
   chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. That law was passed in 1994
   but was allowed to expire 10 years later.

   Biden also called on the Senate to approve measures already passed by
   the House that would close loopholes in laws requiring background
   checks on the purchase of guns.

   The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday held a hearing, the first of
   a series planned to discuss ways of reducing gun violence.

   Biden said his heart goes out to the survivors and families of the
   victims of the Boulder shooting.

   Investigators have not disclosed any motives. Authorities said Tuesday
   that Alissa purchased an assault weapon six days before the attack.

   Among the victims -- whose ages ranged from 20 to 65 -- was 51-year-old
   Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley. He was the first to arrive and
   exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was carrying what was reported
   to be an assault-style rifle. No other officers were injured.

   Biden noted Monday's attack followed the killing of eight people at
   three Atlanta-area spas March 16.

   Flags in the U.S. capital, Washington, were already flying at
   half-staff for those victims.