What started as a small collection of flowers on the east side of the fence bordering a Boulder King Soopers evolved over the course of the day, turning chain link fences into an embroidery of flowers, stuffed animals, messages and glowing candles at the base.
Boulder-based Ryan Hansen clutched his face as he kneels in front of the makeshift memorial erected Tuesday at the King Soopers grocery store where a gunman killed 10 people. (Timothy Hurst / employee photographer)
The tribute paid tribute to the 10 people who died in a shooting at the 3600 Table Mesa Drive store on Monday. A suspect was identified by Boulder police on Tuesday. Hundreds gathered throughout the day to pay their respects to the business they recognize as the center of their community.
“Boulder, we love you,” read a sign. The names of the victims are listed in a letter:
- Denny Stong, 20
- Neven Stanisic, 23
- Rikki Olds, 25
- Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
- Teri Leiker, 51
- Eric Talley, 51
- Suzanne Brunnen, 59
- Kevin Mahoney, 61
- Lynn Murray, 62
- Jody Waters, 65
Several King Soopers employees sat in front of 10 wooden crosses and watched in silence.
Gerrett, a Table Mesa King Soopers employee who refused to give his last name, said he was there to honor his staff. He was joined by three other employees who worked on site. He said the three employees he knew who died were “really special people.”
“You don’t deserve this,” he said. “Nobody deserves this.”
At his side was Starr Samkus, an employee of Table Mesa King Soopers. Samkus didn’t work on Monday but she lives across the street and said she heard gunshots and saw police activity that afternoon. Stong, a staff member, was someone she spoke to every day.
When asked how she felt about the outpouring, Samkus said it was “not enough”. When asked what would be a start towards improvement, she said, “Any kind of (weapon) change so that this stops happening.”
Coleman Kisicki, who lives across from the shop, also joined them in solidarity. He said he wanted to support his girlfriend Samkus.
“I’m glad people are here and show support,” said Kisicki. “It is difficult, however, because there have been so many fence monuments like this one. I don’t see them stopping anytime soon. “
Greg James-Roxby said he works for a King Soopers in Longmont. He went to Boulder to support his colleagues.
“I worked today and it was normal,” said James-Roxby. “It didn’t feel right. The whole day just felt wrong. All of these people mourn while everything is the same in my store. It didn’t feel right. “
Not far from where the group huddled on the ground were husband and wife David and Courtney Hughes with their 11-year-old daughter Ruby. The family lives about a quarter of a mile from the King Soopers. Her two daughters often go to the store for snacks or for pinched nails. David Hughes said her children considered going to the store on Monday but didn’t.
“This is our home,” said Courtney Hughes through tears. “It’s the center of our community.”
David Hughes also tearfully added, “We come to Boulder to live in a community that is passionate, confident and loving. It feels like a loss of innocence. “
When he looked at the crowd on Tuesday, he said it was “nice to see the support”. He said he heard from friends, family and people across the country who came forward following the tragedy on Monday.
Catie Dugger likes the Hughes family and said she attended the King Soopers often. Dugger said she’d love to get a Starbucks coffee, and a woman who worked there knew how to fix the best ice cream sticks and make the best coffee. She was relieved to learn that the woman was one of the survivors.
“This is my grocery store,” said Dugger. “These are my neighbors who shop here. My neighbors work here. My neighbors’ children work here. It’s my back yard. It’s scary to think that it could have been me. It could have been my mother. It could have been someone I know. Although I didn’t know the victims, it’s heartbreaking because they’re still family. “
There are several ways people can help victims’ families. On its website, the Boulder Office of Emergency Management published several organizations that received donations in support of the victims and their families. The list can be found at boulderoem.com/donations.
“There were some really incredible people who lost their lives here,” said Dugger. “Boulder lost some really great people – a really great officer and some really great people. It just sucks. “
The post Fence outside King Soopers draws hundreds Tuesday to remember 10 people killed – Broomfield Enterprise first appeared on DECKS AND FENCES DAILY.