Thornton shooting explained

Thornton shooting
Partof:gun violence in the United States
Location:Thornton, Colorado, U.S.
Target:Walmart Supercenter
9901 Grant Street
Thornton, Colorado 80229
Time-Begin: 6:10 p.m.
Timezone:MT
Type:Shooting
Fatalities:3
Injuries:0
Perp:Scott Allen Ostrem
Weapons:Handgun

On November 1, 2017, a shooting occurred at a Walmart Supercenter in Thornton, a suburb of Denver, Colorado.[1] It was reported to have begun at 6:10 p.m. MT, resulting in three people killed. There was a nationwide manhunt for suspect Scott Allen Ostrem, 47.[2]

Shooting

Witnesses said he had casually walked into the store and randomly began shooting at people.[3] Ostrem then fled in a red Mitsubishi Mirage. Officer Victor Avila explained that the aftermath of the shooting was "mass chaos," as numerous people rushed out of the store.[4]

Just before 6:30 p.m. MT, Thornton police tweeted there were "multiple parties down" and instructed people to avoid the area.[5] Just before 8:00 a.m. MT, Ostrem was arrested in Westminster near 72nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard, less than 10 miles (16 km) from the location of the shooting.[6] A phone call to police led to his capture.[7]

Victims

Carlos Moreno, 66, of Thornton, Victor Vasquez, 26, of Denver, and Pamela Marques, 52, of Denver were killed in the shooting. Moreno and Vasquez died at the scene,[8] while Marques was transported to a local hospital, where she subsequently died.[9] No Walmart employees were injured as a result of the incident.[10]

Aftermath

All three families of the people who were killed have asked for financial assistance online via crowdfunding sites.[11] The Walmart reopened its doors on November 5, 2017.[12] While many shoppers were inside the store, some of them remained outside to give their condolences to the deceased, and to leave messages for the survivors.

Investigation

The motive for the killing is not known.[13] Police spokesman Victor Avila said there is no evidence that the incident was an act of terror,[14] saying "We don't know exactly what the motive of the person was, but it was certainly a terrible act."[15]

Perpetrator

The gunman, Scott Allen Ostrem (born August 3, 1970) of Denver, shot at people using a handgun.[16] Ostrem applied for chapter 7 bankruptcy in September 2015. Scott had an extensive criminal record dating back to 1990, as he was arrested 14 times in total across the Denver area, with six of his arrests dating to the 1990s (four of which were in 1990, one in April 1991, and the other in December 1999). The last time Scott went into custody was in January 2013 for driving under the influence in Wheat Ridge.[17] He accumulated a credit card debt of $58,000.[18] Ostrem lived by himself in a one-bedroom apartment.[19] Neighbors said he cursed at them.[20] He was occasionally seen carrying a rifle bag to and from where he lived.[21] Ostrem never worked at Walmart.[22] The cameras spotted Ostrem leaving Walmart in the same calm manner he had shown when he entered.[23] Ostrem unexpectedly took off from his job as a sheet metal worker at a roofing company hours prior to the incident.

Ostrem's stepsister said he suffered brain damage from taking LSD almost 30 years ago and has heard voices in his head since then. She said his personality quickly changed following a drug party.[24] She said Ostrem did not get treated by any mental health professionals.

Legal proceedings

Ostrem was placed in the Adams County Sheriff's Detention Facility in Brighton,[25] and was set to appear at Adams County District Court at 11 a.m. MT on November 3, 2017.[26] A prosecutor said on November 3, 2017, Ostrem may face multiple charges, in addition to first-degree murder charges resulting from the killings of three people inside Walmart. Adams County District Attorney Dave Young said the additional potential charges are being considered because numerous people were also inside Walmart when Ostrem was shooting inside the store on November 1, 2017. Young did not comment when questioned by reporters regarding a motive for the incident and whether authorities were contemplating hate crime charges, as the three individuals killed were Latino, while Ostrem is white. The courtroom reached its 90-person capacity. At least three people at the court hearing were family members. They declined to talk to reporters following the hearing.[27]

Ostrem was charged with murder and attempted murder on November 6, 2017.[28] District Attorney Dave Young told Denver7 on November 6, 2017, it was too soon to determine if he'd pursue the death penalty, but said he'd talk to the victims' families prior making a decision.[29] A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 8, 2018, delayed due to a question of whether Ostrem could stand trial.[30] On October 10, 2018, Ostrem pleaded guilty in the shooting.[31] [32] [33] On October 19, 2018, Ostrem was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 48 years in prison.[34] [35] [36]

Reactions

Walmart released a statement that said, "The entire Walmart family is deeply saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones and to all who were impacted by what took place. We are assisting law enforcement however we can and are referring all requests for information to them."[37]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thornton police arrest Walmart shooting suspect who allegedly killed 3. Kirk. Mitchell. The Denver Post. November 2, 2017. November 3, 2017.
  2. Web site: Colorado Walmart shooting suspect taken into custody, police say. Katherine. Lam. Fox News. November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  3. Web site: 3 Dead In Walmart Shooting, Gunman At Large. CBS Denver. November 1, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  4. News: November 2, 2017 . Thornton PD: 'Mass chaos' inside Walmart after shooting . 9news.com . November 2, 2017.
  5. Web site: 3 People Killed In Shooting At Denver-Area Walmart. CBS San Francisco. November 1, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  6. Web site: Police arrest suspect in Denver Walmart shooting that killed 3. Allen. Cone. UPI. November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  7. News: Walmart Shooting in Thornton, Colorado: Suspect Scott Ostrem Is Arrested. Erik. Ortiz. NBC News. November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  8. News: Almasy . Steve . Marco . Tony . 3 dead in shooting at Walmart in Colorado . . November 2, 2017.
  9. News: November 1, 2017 . Police arrest suspect in Thornton Walmart shooting; 3 dead . . November 3, 2017.
  10. Web site: Sheffield . Toria . November 2, 2017 . A gunman killed 3 people in a random attack at a Colorado Walmart . https://web.archive.org/web/20171104160810/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/gunman-killed-3-people-random-122353159.html . November 4, 2017 . November 4, 2017 . Yahoo!.
  11. Web site: Lotus . Jean . November 3, 2017 . Walmart Shooting Victims' Families Seek Help For Funeral Expenses . November 4, 2017 . Patch.
  12. News: 'Thornton Is Strong': Walmart Reopens After Deadly Shooting . CBS Denver . November 5, 2017.
  13. News: November 1, 2017 . Colorado Walmart shooting suspect caught after killing three . abc15.com . November 2, 2017.
  14. News: November 2, 2017 . 3 Killed in Colorado Walmart Shooting; Suspect Sought . U.S. News & World Report . November 2, 2017.
  15. News: November 2, 2017 . Police arrest suspect in fatal Thornton Walmart shooting . . November 2, 2017.
  16. News: Who Is Scott Ostrem? Manhunt Underway For Colorado Walmart Shooting Suspect. Juliana Rose. Pignataro. International Business Times. November 3, 2017. November 4, 2017.
  17. News: Police Arrest Suspect In Walmart Triple Shooting. CBS Denver. November 1, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  18. News: Alleged Thornton Walmart shooter had failed businesses and run-ins with police: Neighbors said Scott Ostrem, 47, was unfriendly and was often seen carrying a rifle case. Kirk. Mitchell. Tom. McGhee. The Denver Post. November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  19. Web site: Colorado Walmart Killer Lived Alone With a Stack of Bibles and No Furniture. The Daily Beast. November 3, 2017. May 19, 2024.
  20. News: Man Arrested in Walmart Shooting Called Unfriendly and 'Rude'. Jack. Healy. The New York Times. November 1, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  21. News: Colorado Walmart shooting suspect Scott Ostrem had run-ins with police, financial troubles: Neighbors say he was "weird," seen with rifle bag. Blair. Miller. The Denver Channel. November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  22. News: Colorado police are still seeking a motive after a Walmart shooting that killed 3 people. P. Solomon. Banda. Kathleen. Foody. Business Insider. November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  23. Web site: 3 People Killed In Colorado Walmart Shooting. Sydney. Shepard. Security Today. November 2, 2017. November 4, 2017.
  24. News: Voices warning of demons tormented alleged Walmart shooter for 29 years after a bad LSD trip, sister says: Stepsister says alleged Walmart shooter consulted a priest but never got professional mental health help. Kirk. Mitchell. The Denver Post. November 6, 2017. November 6, 2017.
  25. News: Beloved Grandparents and Father of 2 Identified as Victims in Random Walmart Shooting. Inside Edition. November 3, 2017. November 4, 2017.
  26. News: Panicked people, shoppers drawing guns created chaos, a delayed investigation into Thornton Walmart shooting. Noelle. Phillips. Kevin. Simpson. The Denver Post. November 2, 2017. November 3, 2017.
  27. Web site: Colorado Walmart shooting suspect could face multiple charges, prosecutors say. Fox 4 Kansas City. November 3, 2017. November 4, 2017.
  28. News: The Latest: Stepsister: LSD damaged Walmart shooting suspect. ABC News. Associated Press. 6 November 2017.
  29. News: Accused Walmart killer Scott Ostrem charged with 6 counts of murder, 30 counts of attempted murder. Blair. Miller. WTVF. November 7, 2017.
  30. News: Thornton Walmart shooting suspect ruled mentally competent to stand trial. 2018-04-02. FOX31 Denver. 2018-06-07. en-US.
  31. Web site: Scott Ostrem pleads guilty to murder in Thornton Walmart shooting that killed 3. The Denver Post. October 10, 2018. October 15, 2018.
  32. Web site: Walmart Shooter Scott Ostrem Pleads Guilty To Murder To Avoid Death Penalty. CBS Denver. October 10, 2018. October 15, 2018.
  33. Web site: Thornton Walmart killer Scott Ostrem pleads guilty to murder, avoids death penalty. Robert. Garrison. The Denver Channel. October 10, 2018. October 15, 2018.
  34. Web site: Scott Ostrem sentenced to life in prison for murdering three in 2017 Thornton Walmart shooting . The Denver Post. October 19, 2018. October 20, 2018.
  35. Web site: 'Black and malignant heart fatally bent on spreading fear:' Thornton Walmart killer sentenced. Robert. Garrison. The Denver Channel. October 19, 2018. October 20, 2018.
  36. Web site: Denver Walmart killer sentenced to life in prison. UPI. October 20, 2018. May 19, 2024.
  37. News: No Walmart employees killed or injured in Thornton shooting. 2017-11-02. FOX31 Denver. 2018-06-07. en-US.

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