Jody Ann Waters, a 65-year-old White/Caucasian woman, had been a resident of Boulder, Colorado, for 42 years. A mother and grandmother, she was remembered by friends and family as a beautiful person with a warm and loving spirit. She was an integral part of the Boulder fashion community, having owned the retail store Applause for 23 years, with locations on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, as well as in Cherry Creek and Broomfield. Those who knew her described her as smart, grounded, and sensitive, a person who cultivated deep and genuine connections with everyone she met. She had a dream of one day opening her own boutique and was known for her outgoing nature and her willingness to always look for ways to interact with people.
On March 22, 2021, Jody Waters was one of ten people tragically killed in a mass shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder. During the attack, she was hiding under a checkout counter when the shooter pointed his assault rifle at her and fired multiple times. Her death was a profound loss to her family, including her two daughters and grandchildren, and to the community she had been a part of for over four decades. Friends and colleagues recalled her kindness and generosity, and her deep love for her family.
The suspect in the shooting was identified as Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa. He was arrested at the scene on the day of the shooting after an exchange of gunfire with police, during which he sustained a leg wound. Following his arrest, he was charged with ten counts of first-degree murder and numerous other charges. After legal proceedings to determine his competency, he was found fit to stand trial. He later pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial began in September 2024, with prosecutors presenting evidence to illustrate the deliberate and planned nature of the attack.
