In a jaw-dropping update that has reignited national outrage, the man accused of the deadly 2021 mass shooting at a Colorado supermarket is now facing 12 chilling federal hate crime charges. Authorities say the attack wasn’t just random violence — it was fueled by deep-rooted hate tied to the victims’ race and ethnicity.
This shocking new turn comes more than three years after the tragic event that left 10 innocent people dead inside a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. The Justice Department has now confirmed that Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, the suspect in custody, is being federally indicted for hate crimes — charges that could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
What Really Happened in Boulder?
The horrifying incident occurred on March 22, 2021, when Alissa allegedly stormed into the busy store, armed with a semi-automatic weapon, and opened fire on customers, employees, and a responding police officer. The community was devastated, and families were shattered. The victims included workers, shoppers, and a hero officer who ran in to protect others — all killed in mere minutes.
At the time, the motive behind the mass killing was unclear. But now, investigators believe that the attack was driven by prejudice and that the suspect deliberately chose his victims based on their race, color, or national origin.
Federal Government Steps In With New Charges
On June 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury indicted Alissa on:
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10 counts of hate crimes resulting in death
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1 count of attempted hate crime
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1 count of obstruction of religious freedom involving an attempt to kill
These are not ordinary charges. Federal hate crime indictments are rare and extremely serious. Officials say the evidence shows that Alissa specifically targeted people because of who they were — something that turns this case into not just a mass shooting, but an act of racially-motivated terror.
According to the indictment, Alissa used a Ruger AR-556 pistol during the shooting spree and had purchased multiple firearms in the days before the attack. The newly filed charges state that he intended to kill people based on their ethnic background.
Why This Took So Long
You might wonder why it took so long for these charges to surface. After his arrest, Alissa was declared mentally unfit to stand trial and sent to a mental health facility for evaluation. But in late 2023, a Colorado judge ruled that he was finally competent to face trial, reopening the door for both state and federal legal actions.
Now, with this federal indictment, prosecutors can pursue harsher penalties — and possibly a death sentence — if he’s convicted.
What Happens Next?
Alissa is still being held in custody. Legal experts expect the federal trial process to be slow and complicated, possibly lasting several more years due to the mental health history and the nature of the hate crime charges. Prosecutors will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he acted with hateful intent, which is a high legal bar but not impossible, especially given the DOJ’s confidence in the case.
Families Still Waiting for Justice
For the families of the victims, this new development is both painful and a step toward justice. Many have waited over three years to see the case move forward. At a recent candlelight vigil in Boulder, one victim’s relative said, “We want the truth to come out. We want to know why. And we want to see real justice done.”
This case is no longer just about violence — it’s about hate, accountability, and the lasting pain of a community still healing from unthinkable loss.
