[UPDATED] 10 killed in US shooting at Colorado supermarket

LOS ANGELES – At least 10 people were shot dead by a gunman at a grocery store in the western US state of Colorado, police said today.

Among those dead was police officer Eric Talley, who was the first to respond to the scene at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, near Denver.

"We know of 10 fatalities at the scene, including one of our Boulder PD officers... Officer Tally responded to the scene – was first on the scene – and he was fatally shot," said police chief Maris Herold.

One “person of interest” is injured and in custody, Boulder police commander Kerry Yamaguchi told reporters following the incident.

Earlier, police swarmed the grocery store following reports of an active shooter.

Officers were reportedly shot at as they responded to a report of a person hit with gunfire in the parking area of King Soopers. 

“Active Shooter at the King Soopers on Table Mesa. AVOID THE AREA,” the Boulder police department posted on Twitter before the arrest. 

Live-streamed video showed at least one person – a middle-aged man, shirtless and wearing shorts – being detained by police and led away from the store.

The man, who was white, appeared to be in handcuffs and one of his legs was coated red, seemingly with blood.

Armoured vehicles, at least six ambulances and dozens of personnel including at least one SWAT team attended the scene.

“Our SWAT team is on the way to assist,” tweeted the sheriff’s department of neighbouring Jefferson County. 

Unverified early images appeared to show at least three wounded people lying prone on the ground both inside and immediately outside the store, as multiple gunshots rang out. 

Later, shoppers who had been led safely out of the store sat wrapped in blankets, talking to emergency workers.

The city of Boulder is located some 48km northwest of state capital Denver, on the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. – AFP, March 23, 2021