Survivor of Colorado mass shooting recalls hearing gunman say ‘This is fun’ during testimony

During the trial of Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, the gunman in the 2021 mass shooting at a Colorado supermarket, a pharmacist who survived the ordeal revealed a chilling detail. Sarah Chen testified that she heard the shooter say, “This is fun” multiple times during the rampage. Chen and her coworkers hid in the store in Boulder as the gunman opened fire. She described how she was listening for signs of the plexiglass barrier on the pharmacy counter to be moved, indicating the shooter’s approach. Despite not hearing the barrier move, she heard the gunman yelling and repeating, “This is fun.”

Alissa, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting, is charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and multiple counts of attempted murder. His lawyers argue that he was suffering from treatment-resistant schizophrenia at the time of the shooting, experiencing hallucinations and unable to distinguish between right and wrong. The trial began on September 5th and is expected to conclude by the end of the month.

Testifying alongside Chen, another pharmacy worker, Maggie Montoya, did not mention hearing Alissa make the disturbing statement. The defense highlighted that Montoya was hiding closer to where Alissa was during the shooting. A witness, James Graham, who was in the store during the shooting, recalled hearing someone say “F— you” as the violence erupted. He testified that he believed Alissa was the one making the declaration.

Graham described how he fled to the back of the store upon hearing gunshots, feeling as though he was being shot at as debris flew around him and the smell of gun powder lingered. He sought refuge behind a tree or bush outside, staying there for about 40 minutes until discovered by a police officer. Despite the traumatic experience, he was relieved when another officer intervened, preventing any harm to him. Graham emotionally recounted putting his head down and crying during the terrifying ordeal.