One of a Kind

Summary

Senseless with Erika Mahoney
Episode: "One of a Kind"
Release Date: June 17, 2025

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Introduction

In the poignant episode titled "One of a Kind," Erika Mahoney delves deep into the harrowing experience of losing her father, Kevin Mahoney, in a mass shooting at her local King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. The episode intertwines personal narratives, community impact, and reflections on gun violence, providing listeners with an intimate look into the aftermath of tragedy.

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Pre-Tragedy Encounters

Jenny Jacobson's Routine Visit to King Soopers

The episode begins by introducing Jenny Jacobson, a substitute teacher and single mother, who frequents the King Soopers grocery store. On that fateful Monday afternoon, Jenny and Erika's father, Kevin Mahoney, unknowingly share a fleeting moment.

• Jenny's Experience (02:16 - 07:36):

  Jenny recounts her typical grocery run:
  “I was like, oh, I'm going to make pulled pork in the crock pot... And as I'm walking, there's a man in front of me...” [02:25]

  Little does she know, this man is Kevin Mahoney, Erika's father. Their simultaneous actions—opening trunks and carrying groceries—create an uncanny and serendipitous moment.

• Kevin and Jenny's Brief Interaction (04:27 - 07:04):

  Kevin, a retired hotel developer and active community volunteer, unknowingly becomes a part of Jenny's story. Their simultaneous groceries unloading leads to a light-hearted exchange:
  “He pressed a button and it went beep... And that made him throw his head back, and he just laughed out loud...” [07:04]

  This brief, friendly interaction would later become an unforgettable memory for Jenny, forming a poignant prelude to the ensuing tragedy.

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The Day of the Tragedy

Erika's Life Before the Incident

Before delving into the events of the shooting, Erika provides context about her life in Carmel, California, her parents' life in Boulder, and the family's move from Pasadena to Boulder seeking safety and a better environment.

• Family Background and Move to Boulder (17:15 - 23:09):

  Erika shares fond memories of her parents meeting in Los Angeles, their adventurous spirit, and the move to Boulder driven by safety concerns from previous violent incidents in Pasadena.
  “I felt like it was a different world from Denver, and it reminded us a bit of Pasadena... We wanted you to be happy.” [22:34]

The Shooting Unfolds

On March 22, 2021, an ordinary Monday turned into a nightmare when an active shooter struck the King Soopers store.

• Erika's Call and Initial Reaction (03:08 - 07:36):

  Erika recounts receiving a frantic call from her mother informing her of the active shooter:
  “There's an active shooter at King Soopers.” [07:13]

  Panic ensues as Erika tries to process the information while being six months pregnant and unaware of her father's presence at the store that day.

• Jenny and Kevin at the Store (07:36 - 09:40):

  After their initial interaction, Jenny and Kevin continue their shopping. Moments later, chaos erupts as the shooter begins his assault. Jenny describes hearing gunshots and witnessing the shooter targeting people, leading to immediate fear and confusion.

• Erika's Desperate Search (26:13 - 33:45):

  While at work, Erika receives distressing news about the shooting. She anxiously awaits information, hoping her father is safe.
  “I wanted to call my dad, but all I could picture was his ringtone drawing the shooter toward him.” [26:30]

  As live news covers the incident, Erika sees a man in a black jacket—the same one her father always wore—being escorted in custody, leading her to suspect it's her father. The confirmation that it is indeed Kevin unfolds with devastating clarity.

• Emotional Turmoil and Aftermath (33:45 - 36:41):

  Erika describes the hollow feeling following the realization of her father's death, compounded by fears for her unborn child and the community's grief. The episode captures the immediate emotional impact on family members, especially Erika and her husband, Brant.

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Family Legacy and Reflections

Kevin Mahoney's Life and Legacy

Erika shifts focus to honor her father's memory, sharing tales of his personality, love for adventure, and the deep bond he shared with the family.

• Memories of Kevin (14:17 - 22:38):

  From adventurous activities like cliff jumping and whitewater rafting to simple moments like choosing ties for his business trips, Kevin's vibrant spirit is vividly portrayed. Erika recounts significant moments, including her high school achievements supported by her father.
  “I can’t imagine what must have been going through my dad's head...” [19:28]

• Parents' Love Story (17:15 - 22:38):

  The episode delves into how Erika's parents met, fell in love, and built a life together in Boulder. Kevin shares their first date and the significance of a cherished T-shirt:
  “We went to a Greek restaurant... he had on a T shirt that said one of a kind.” [18:57]

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Community Impact and Continuing Pain

Jenny Jacobson's Continued Grief

Jenny, who unknowingly interacted with Kevin moments before the shooting, later shares the emotional toll of the event. Her struggle to come to terms with the loss of a stranger who was actually Erika's father highlights the randomness and pervasive pain caused by mass shootings.

• Jenny's Testimony (37:07):

  Reflecting on the encounter:
  “We just kind of locked eyes.” [37:10]

Erika's Reflection on Gun Violence

Erika emphasizes the widespread impact of gun violence in America, noting that almost no place feels safe from such tragedies. She connects her personal loss to a broader societal issue, underscoring the pervasive sense of vulnerability many Americans live with daily.

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Conclusion

One of a Kind" serves as a deeply personal narrative that encapsulates the suddenness of gun violence and its ripple effects on individuals and communities. Through heartfelt storytelling, Erika Mahoney not only mourns her father but also sheds light on the collective trauma experienced by survivors and loved ones. The episode stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring quest for understanding and healing in the face of unimaginable loss.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Erika Mahoney (07:04): “He laughed out loud like a big belly laugh...”

• Jenny Jacobson (07:36): “I don't know why, but I just picked my head up and he was standing one car length in front of my car...” [37:07]

• Kevin Mahoney (18:57): “We went to a Greek restaurant... he had on a T shirt that said one of a kind.”

• Erika Mahoney (26:30): “I wanted to call my dad, but all I could picture was his ringtone drawing the shooter toward him.”

• Erika Mahoney (33:45): “Where is my dad?”

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This detailed summary encapsulates the emotional and narrative depth of the "One of a Kind" episode, offering both a chronological account of events and a reflection on their lasting impact.

Transcript

[Erica Mahoney]

As a mom, wife, friend, and now a podcast host, life is a lot. One minute I'm chasing the kids in the yard, the next I'm racing to the recording studio. It's not easy, and honestly, it's a little overwhelming. But I wouldn't trade this life for anything. And I know I'm not alone. I see you juggling all the things, looking composed on the outside while quietly unraveling inside. From birthday parties to doctor's appointments, dinner plans to back to back meetings, we could all use an extra set of hands. That's where Duckbill comes in. Duckbill is like an executive assistant for your personal life, powered by AI and real humans who tackle your to do list so you don't have to. Because life is busy, it's messy, it's complicated, and Duckbill makes it a little bit easier. All you do is submit a task and Duckbill gets on it fast. I've used Duckbill to stay on top of my calendar, schedule appointments, order thoughtful gifts, and even plan my podcast, launch party venue and all. Duckbill helps me show up for the people I love and take care of myself. So if your plate is too full, hand off a few things to Duckbill. Life is short, so duck it. Use code senseless for 50% off your first two months at getduckbill.com that's getduckbill.com.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Lemonade.

[Erica Mahoney]

This podcast relives an account of gun violence and the trauma that follows. Please take care when listening. It started as A typical Monday, March 22, 2021. Not great, not bad, just ordinary. Until everything changed in an instant. I was living in Carmel on the coast of California. I remember the sky was gray and overcast and the ocean was calm, a shade of dark blue. Three states over, snow covered the mountains in my hometown of Boulder, Colorado. That's where my parents live, in the same house I grew up in, in the same south Boulder neighborhood set right against the foothills, a haven of hiking trails and dogs and good public schools and a main grocery store. Everyone shops at King Soopers.

[Jenny Jacobson]

You know how you have a favorite grocery store because you know where everything is? That was this King Soopers. And I call it King Soups. Yeah. Did you call it King Soups?

[Erica Mahoney]

Yeah, definitely. We had several nicknames. Yeah, King Soups and Supers. Just kind of dropping the King.

[Drew Mahoney]

Yeah, yeah, right.

[Jenny Jacobson]

Go to the Kings. Yeah, exactly. And it was just like the, you know, south Boulder grocery store everybody runs in to. And I'm the kind of grocery store shopper that goes daily, in a sense.

[Erica Mahoney]

Jenny Jacobson loves her community and music and backpacking. She raised her daughter on her own, all while working as a teacher and waitress. Now she's a substitute teacher for schools in Boulder. That Monday afternoon, Jenny ran into King Soopers as usual to grab a few things she needed for dinner that night.

[Jenny Jacobson]

And I was like, oh, I'm going to make pulled pork in the crock pot. And so I had to run in and get the coleslaw for the top of the pulled pork sandwich, you know, And I just walked in and I got the three items or four items that I needed, you know, that's it. And I carried them in my arms. And as I'm walking out of the store, I'm thinking of, like, 10 things. As I do, I'm like, okay, I gotta go home. I gotta do this, I gotta do that. I'm watching a dog right now. I gotta walk this dog. I gotta go change my laundry and put the laundry in the dryer. Like, I'm thinking of 10 things, and it as I'm walking, there's a man in front of me. And again, this is kind of near Covid time. So we're still kind of social distancing ourselves. Like, we're supposed to not be all up next to each other. And this gentleman that I am now trailing is very, very nice, but kind of looks over his shoulder to kind of say, like, why are you so close to me? And as he does that, I'm like, oh, oh, sorry, because I am carrying all my groceries. And I was. I was kind of like walking very close to this man. So I take, like, two steps back or I just slow down, really.

[Erica Mahoney]

That man was Kevin Mahoney, who for over 25 years lived less than five minutes from the store. He also loved his community and hiking and skiing. Retired from a career in hotel development, he was volunteering at Meals on Wheels and traveling in his free time. But most importantly, he's my dad. Like Jenny, my dad was shopping for just a few things that afternoon. Some weekly staples. It was a year into the pandemic, so at this point, my dad liked going to the grocery store because it was a reason to get out of the house. And he'd mainly been the one shopping to make sure my mom didn't get Covid. After buying his groceries and stopping at the Starbucks kiosk near the west side entrance for his favorite coffee, my dad walked out to the parking lot pushing his shopping cart with two bags of groceries towards his car. Meanwhile, Jenny, who didn't have a cart, was just Carrying her items in her arms.

[Jenny Jacobson]

And then I realize I'm still following this man. And he probably thinks I'm a big weirdo. And now I realize, oh, my God, our cars are parked next to each other. This is great, right? Like, oh, great. Now he thinks I'm stalking him. And he looks at me again like, why are you still following me? I actually. We never spoke. I just, like, looked at him and smiled because I'm like, this is my car. And he's like, oh, okay. Right. Like, we're parked next to each other, and I'm like, great. Like, kind of embarrassed, like, I'm not following you. So at that time, now Kevin has a cart, and we get to our cars, and we open our trunks at the exact same time. It's almost comical now. It is. I mean, we're both doing the exact same thing. And now we are putting our groceries into our trunks at the exact same time. So I look at him and I smile, and he smiles at me. And when he smiled at me, it really reminded me of my dad. Like, it looked just like my dad. I love that it did. And then we finished our groceries at almost the exact same time. And I'm like, okay, this is creepy now. And we go to close our trunks, and I had to reach up because I have a 2017 car which doesn't have an automatic trunk, and your father's car does. And so he went to go close his trunk, and he pressed a button and it went beep. And at that moment, I said, ooh. Like that.

[Erica Mahoney]

A brief, friendly exchange, perhaps forgettable under most circumstances, but it would turn out to be an unforgettable moment.

[Jenny Jacobson]

And that made him throw his head back, and he just laughed out loud like a. Like a big belly laugh, like a. You know. And he did. He laughed out loud. And, you know, I laughed. And that was it, you know? And that was an interaction between two strangers.

[Erica Mahoney]

I love that he had this laugh. And I love this story. It's a story that would take Jenny more than two years to share with my mom and me. And an interaction she would later describe on the witness stand. Because after that interaction, Jenny would get into her car and my dad would start to return his shopping cart. Then everything changed. Laughter turns into confusion and then fear and then terror. The first gunshot rang out at 2:29pm.

[Jenny Jacobson]

I just thought it was a backfiring car. And then the next sound was more like pop, pop, which I thought was a firework. And it was so close that I actually heard it, like, whoosh. Pop, Whoosh, pop. You know, I'm sitting in the driver's seat and I look over my left shoulder is when I saw the gunman shooting into the truck behind me. But at that moment I just thought, oh, that's strange. Like, there's a mob hit happening. I, I've never seen a mob hit. I've never seen anyone get shot like this. But your brain is trying to make sense of what you're seeing. And because I'm, I'm only seeing one person getting shot and there's no other person that was in danger, you're just kind of like, oh, one person is in danger. This is strange. And then he turned. And when the gunman turned is when I realized, oh, this is not just one person. He's shooting people. Like, I realized, oh my God. Right? Like, oh, he's, you know, I ducked and I went. And that's when I heard the shots. And I just, I don't know why. I just knew he was going towards your, your dad.

[Erica Mahoney]

From returning his cart to running for his life on an ordinary Monday afternoon at the grocery store. And to think, just moments before, a stranger made my dad laugh and look up at the sky.

[Drew Mahoney]

I'm Erica Mahoney and this is Senseless.

[Erica Mahoney]

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[Brant]

He okay, super happy. Always like really woke up with a positive attitude each day.

[Erica Mahoney]

This is my brother Drew.

[Brant]

He had good patience and he had a hard work ethic. And yeah, he like loved to ski and travel. And that's one of the biggest voids that I I still feel now is like the like doing that like the fun things like. Cause he would plan these trips to like Hawaii for example, or wherever.

[Unknown]

Just jump. You don't have to do anything fancy.

[Erica Mahoney]

And this is a video my dad took of Drew. Backflip off a cliff and into the ocean. You're being filmed. While dad and Drew loved chasing adventure and adrenaline, from jumping off cliffs in Maui to whitewater rafting in Alaska, my dad and I figured out our own ways to bond sushi dates and action movies. He always stayed up late with me to help me study for my history exams. My dad traveled a lot for his job as an executive in hotel development and he'd always let me pick out his ties for his business trips. They were all on this wooden tie rack in my parents closet. Even with all the traveling, he and my mom always tried to make every soccer game and piano recital and music concert. 1, 2, 3. Senior year of high school, I auditioned for a jazz acapella choir called Excalibur. I had dreamed of getting in since I was in elementary school. On the day the lists went up showing who made the choir, I was sick to my stomach with nervous energy. I needed to get my mind off the waiting, so my dad suggested we drive around town until the list was posted. I remember the way the sun flickered across the dashboard and how much better I felt when we finally pulled up. My dad waited in the car as I walked up to the front of my high school. I scanned the list and couldn't believe it when I saw my name. I spun around, then looked back at the list to double check and ran to my dad's car, absolutely elated. I can't imagine what must have been going through my dad's head. How he had to prepare for both scenarios. When I got back in the car, he looked so happy for me, so proud. But I also know that if my name hadn't been on the list, he would have figured out how to make everything okay. That year, my parents were in the audience for every concert. And those were the happiest moments of my entire high school experience. This song, hold you'd hand by Katrina Bishop was our finale. Just before graduation, my dad and mom sat together cheering and clapping loudly.

[Jenny Jacobson]

If you close your eyes, you will feel me hold your hand, you will feel.

[Erica Mahoney]

I feel so lucky that my dad always genuinely cared about the things that mattered to me and my brother. His loving personality and adventurous spirit caught my mom's eye from the start. They met and fell in love in Los angeles in the 80s. But if you could back up a bit and share the story of how you guys met. I love the story and I was hoping you could share it.

[Kevin Mahoney]

So I lived in South Pasadena. I had a small apartment, a carriage house. And I had worked for Disney as a writer for many years. And then I wanted to write a screenplay. I just had these huge hopes and dreams and so I decided to leave Disney and just focus on my writing, my freelance work, and to pay the bills, I got a part time job at the beautiful historic Huntington Sheraton Hotel. And that's where I met Kevin. I was in, I guess you could say it, I knew computers early because I'd learned that at Disney. So I was working on software programs for the hotel and he was the manager there. And that's where we met.

[Erica Mahoney]

Can you describe your first date with dad?

[Kevin Mahoney]

Yeah, we went to a Greek restaurant on Lake street in Pasadena that I don't think is open anymore. But we sat out in the garden area and he had on a T shirt that said one of a kind. And it was just a really fun, easy time together. And I just felt comfortable and he made me laugh and it was light.

[Erica Mahoney]

And I love that T shirt that dad wore. It had the Ziggy cartoon on it and he gave it to me and now I have it and I really treasure that T shirt.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Good. That's good. Good memory.

[Erica Mahoney]

That T shirt that says one of a kind across it is my absolute favorite piece of clothing. I convinced my dad to let me take it to New York during college and I had no idea how much significance it held. After their first date, my parents couldn't stay away from each other. And eventually they got married and bought their first house together.

[Kevin Mahoney]

We wanted to buy a starter home and where all the young couples, they were buying homes in a place called Bungalow Heaven. Those homes would go very fast, but we finally found this incredible home in Bungalow Heaven. On Michigan Street. And thankfully, we got the home. And we're so happy in there. Kevin and I worked hard on that. We did a lot of painting. We redid the floors. It was built in 1917, so there was a lot to do. And it was just a home. I'll never forget. I really do miss that place. Even though it was small, I just absolutely loved it.

[Erica Mahoney]

And that was my first home. I was born in January of 1990. My brother Drew came along two and a half years later. I don't remember much from our early years in California. My memory gets clearer when we move to Boulder in 1995 after my dad wanted a change. And so how did you guys end up in Boulder?

[Kevin Mahoney]

You know, we were living in Pasadena. He was working in Century City, and the commute was really hard. And he got so tired of that long commute. We'd been through some major earthquakes, and he just wanted a change. And he applied for a job in Denver that he read about in the Wall Street Journal. And I always helped him with the COVID letter and resume, and he appreciated that. And we were both shocked when he got a call to come for an interview. So he got the job and we moved here. And I didn't like it at first, I'll be honest, but now I absolutely love it here.

[Erica Mahoney]

And you? I remember we looked for some homes in Denver, but then settled in Boulder, which is about, you know, half an hour drive or so from Denver.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Well, Boulder, I felt like it was a different world from Denver, and it reminded us a bit of Pasadena. We both liked it here. And then, Erica, you were starting kindergarten, and so we checked out this elementary school, and you fell in love with that school. And that was what really convinced us to move here because we wanted you to be happy. And it was just a great area.

[Erica Mahoney]

Did Boulder feel safer than Pasadena and la?

[Kevin Mahoney]

Oh, absolutely. So when we lived there, unfortunately, there was a lot of gun violence. And I could hear guns going off at night, too many nights, and it was scary. There were carjackings. We got robbed. And so a part of me just knew I wanted to live in a place that was safer. And I really felt that with Boulder.

[Erica Mahoney]

Gun violence is nothing new in America. But at some point, things shifted, and now almost nowhere feels safe. A school, a movie theater, a church, a grocery store. Few places in America have been spared from mass shootings. Still, as this tragedy happens all around us, most of us go about life feeling somewhat safe and unaffected. I did. March 22, 2021, was just an ordinary Monday after all. I'M Erica Mahoney, and you're listening to Senseless. More after the break. When tragedy destroys your reality, there will always be that one unforgettable moment when everything changed, a chasm that creates a before and after. On March 22, 2021, I headed into work after lunch. I drove along Highway 1, the Pacific coast highway, and looked out at the ocean like I always did. Work was busy as news director of Kazu Public Radio, a small NPR station that covered part of California's Central coast. And that Monday we were halfway through our spring pledge drive, not long into the shift as I was live on the air with two co workers asking listeners to call in and donate to support the station, I noticed my phone light up. I could see mom trail across the screen, not thinking much of it. I shoved my phone out of sight and kept talking. When she called a second time, I felt nervous. She knew I was at work and she never called when I was on the air. We were on a station break, so I answered. Hi Mom, I said. I can't talk. I'm on the air. Hi Eri. Don't freak out, she said. There's an active shooter at King Soopers. Growing up in Colorado with the Columbine High School and Aurora movie theater shootings, this was a phone call I always feared getting. My heart dropped into my stomach. My first thought was, she's inside the grocery store. I pictured her crouching for cover in an aisle, and I tried to find the strength to say something, anything, that was remotely comforting. I love you so much, Mom. Oh, honey, I'm not in the store, she said softly. I rushed outside the radio station, holding the phone to my ear. My mom said our neighbor, 17 year old Sophie, was hiding underneath the countertop at the sandwich shop where she worked next door. And then what my mom said next shattered my world. Aerie, she said. Dad went grocery shopping.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Well, I felt sick inside, and I really talked with Brant first, your husband, because you were pregnant and I didn't want to upset you until I really knew what was going on.

[Erica Mahoney]

I was six months pregnant with our baby girl.

[Unknown]

I mean, we had no idea at that point.

[Erica Mahoney]

That's my husband, Brant.

[Unknown]

We had no information. You know, I think we were all holding on to the idea that he had found a way to escape and that he was hiding and he couldn't answer his phone. But I mean, I think that we're in denial, honestly, that there was even the possibility that he could have gotten shot.

[Erica Mahoney]

I wanted to call my dad, but all I could picture was his ringtone drawing the shooter toward him. I sat on the cement steps outside the office and checked Boulder police on Twitter alert. I read active shooter at the King Soopers on table Mesa avoid the area. PIO is en route. Did everyone make it out? I typed in the comments. I ran to the side of the office building and hid behind a bush as I cried into my hands. I finally called my dad and waited and waited and waited. As the phone rang, I prayed he would pick up and tell me everything was okay, that he was okay. But it went to voicemail. While it's hard to put in words, my connection to my dad felt different. Untethered from this moment on, the wait for answers was gut wrenching. My brother Drew, who was in residency at a hospital in Cheyenne, Wyoming, sped down to Boulder.

[Brant]

Yeah, I remember I just like, threw clothes on and got in the car right away and then started driving.

[Erica Mahoney]

Along the way, he called all the local hospitals to see if dad had.

[Brant]

Been admitted, calling Boulder Community Hospitals and was, like, trying to get some information, but there was nothing. And then actually, when I got to South Boulder, it was really hard to get home because of the amount of police presence.

[Erica Mahoney]

Meanwhile, my mom drove to the store. When you went to the store, what were the thoughts going through your head?

[Kevin Mahoney]

Where's Dad? I need to find Dad. I know I'm going to find him. I'm going to go in there and get him. I parked the car and I got out of the car and I started walking toward the side of the store. And I was, of course, some first responders told me, get away, move back. I saw what looked to be like snipers on the roof. It was very scary. I probably stayed there, you know, quite a while thinking, what should I do? I know I had the distinct feeling of wanting to go into the store and get dad. It was that horse. Horrible feeling of dread and sort of a knowingness, something's wrong. It's not like dad not to text me back.

[Erica Mahoney]

Back in California, my husband picked me up from work because I was too upset to drive. We headed home in silence.

[Unknown]

It's kind of a blur to me, honestly. I remember just we sat in our living room and watched the news, honestly, and just sat there holding each other, hoping for the best.

We begin right now with breaking news. Police have surrounded a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, after reports of an active shooter.

[Erica Mahoney]

About 30 minutes, King Soopers, my neighborhood grocery store, was on every channel we flipped through.

[Unknown]

A law enforcement source told ABC News that police were called to investigate a shooting in the parking lot, and when they arrived, a gunman opened fire on them. This is still a very active scene.

[Erica Mahoney]

It looked like a war zone. The store's familiar front windows were shattered. Hundreds of law enforcement officers were on the scene. Yellow tape surrounded the perimeter. The footage showed a man being escorted across the parking lot by first responders. This man was only wearing shorts, no shirt, no shoes. Blood ran down his right leg. At first I thought, he's a victim. But then I realized, he's in custody. Part of me screamed, don't watch this. But I couldn't look away. What I saw next would haunt me for years. Lying face down in the parking lot was a man's body, crumpled motionless. I immediately called my mom. That's not Dad. I cried out. I saw that too, she said. But I don't think it is. And yet this man was wearing the same black jacket my dad had, the same one he always wore to the movies or out for sushi or for running an errand. I ran into the bedroom and collapsed into the fetal position on our bed. Tears streamed down my face and my body went into overdrive. I was shaking uncontrollably, my teeth chattering as if I'd fallen into freezing cold water. Brant and I worried about all the emotions. Our daughter was absorbing this sudden surge of panic and fear and sorrow through not only my body, but hers. He called our OB gyn. Baby will be fine, she reassured us. Babies are resilient, she said. And she reminded me to drink water. As evening approached, I couldn't stop checking Twitter for any scrap of information. Finally, Boulder police posted about an upcoming press conference. I sat down at my desk in the living room and held my breath as I opened my laptop and found the live stream.

[Unknown]

Good evening. Can everybody hear me okay then I.

[Erica Mahoney]

Braced myself for what I was about to hear.

[Unknown]

As Dion shared, we had a very tragic incident today here at the King Soopers. There was loss of life. We have multiple people who were killed in this incident and I am sorry to have to report that one of them was a Boulder police officer.

[Erica Mahoney]

During this trying time, I felt hollow and hopeless. Later, I learned the officer, Eric Talley, had seven children. I was desperate to know how many others were killed and whether my dad's name was about to be announced. Watching this press conference was an out of body experience. I felt like I was looking down at myself, a terrified pregnant young woman sitting in front of her laptop, missing her dad, wondering what happened to him.

[Unknown]

I can share with the public today or this evening that there is no ongoing public threat that we do have a person of interest in custody. That person was injured during the incident and is being treated for the injuries.

[Erica Mahoney]

As the press conference continued, the answer to my number one question never came. My fear began to turn into frustration. Where is my dad?

[Michael Daugherty]

Good evening. My name is Michael Daugherty. I'm the district attorney for Boulder County. This is a tragedy and a nightmare for Boulder county, and in response we have cooperation and assistance from local, state and federal authorities. This will very much be a coordinated effort and we will stand united in support of the victims and their families to ensure that justice is done.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Take a few questions.

[Unknown]

Commander, can you tell us what happened? As has already been mentioned, were very.

[Erica Mahoney]

Early in the investigation as the journalists started asking their questions. It brought me back to when I also stood in a sea of reporters just like that covering a mass shooting in California two years earlier. It happened at a food festival. I realized then that I was no longer a journalist covering this American tragedy. I was living it well.

[Unknown]

Tonight we continue our live coverage of the horrific events of today in Boulder, a day that has all of us hurting in so many different ways.

[Erica Mahoney]

The web of pain was only just beginning to reveal itself. Coming up on Senseless from covering the story. Erica Mahoney of Kazu is covering this story. She's on the line. Good morning.

[Jenny Jacobson]

Good morning.

[Erica Mahoney]

To Being the Story.

[Drew Mahoney]

Senseless is written and reported by me, Erica Mahoney. I'm your host and executive producer. Christa Almanzan is our senior producer and executive editor. Original music, sound design and mastering by Hannis Brown audio editing and sound mixing by Jeremiah Edding. Thank you to KGNU Community Radio in Boulder, Colorado for providing sound from the press conferences. News clips in this episode courtesy of ABC7, Los Angeles, Denver7 and NPR's Morning Edition. This podcast was made possible by support from Community Foundation Boulder county and the Boulder County Arts Alliance. The episode was recorded at Coop Studios in Boulder, Colorado. Executive producers for Lemonada Media are Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Whittles.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Wax.

[Drew Mahoney]

Thanks so much for listening. You can follow Senseless wherever you get your podcasts or listen ad free on Amazon Music with your prime membership. If you haven't yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You'll get exclusive content from Senseless, where we take a deeper dive into the web of pain caused by gun violence through extended conversations and fresh interviews. Just hit the subscribe button on Apple.

[Erica Mahoney]

Podcast or for all other podcast apps.

[Drew Mahoney]

Head to lemonadapremium.com that's lemonadapremium.com. and coming up in the first premium episode. In mass shootings, we often focus on the number of people killed, but the web of pain reaches much farther.

[Jenny Jacobson]

So I don't know why, but I just picked my head up and he was standing one car length in front of my car, and I just looked right at him and he looked at.

[Erica Mahoney]

Me.

[Jenny Jacobson]

And I just. I don't know why. We just kind of locked eyes.

[Drew Mahoney]

That exclusive episode of Senseless is available now with Lemonada Premium. See you next time.