Alleged Thornton Walmart shooter had failed businesses and run-ins with police

A 47-year-old man accused of fatally shooting three people Wednesday night at a Thornton Walmart had long been under financial strain after running two failed businesses, running up $58,000 in credit card debt and declaring bankruptcy, state and federal records show.

Neighbors at the apartment complex on the 7100 block of Samuel Drive in Denver described Scott Ostrem as “creepy” and unfriendly.

“He made me nervous because he always had rifle in a case over his shoulder,” said Teresa Muniz, who lives in the same apartment complex as the suspect.

She said her dog never bothers anyone but would growl whenever Ostrem walked nearby.

“I would know it was him,” she said. She added: “He was evil! Evil!”

Police were at the apartment complex on Thursday morning when Ostrem apparently drove by, neighbors said.

“I heard the police officers say, ‘That’s our guy! That’s our guy!'” said Yesenia Castorena, 32. The officers ran downstairs, got in their cars and followed him. He was arrested while stuck in rush-hour traffic near 72nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard.

Court records indicate that Ostrem had bounced around in different jobs in the last several years.

He had run-ins with the law dating back to 1999 when he was charged with resisting arrest, Colorado court records indicate. Denver police charged Ostrem with the misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest on Dec. 28, 1999. The case was dismissed the following year.

Ostrem formed Ostrem Installation LLC in June 2012, filing for business with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office. The company went delinquent in November 2013.

He then worked as a metal fabricator for CEI West Roofing. The company has since changed its name. An employee of the company said that Ostrem quit working there in 2014.

Ostem registered a company called MKA Electronics LLC on June 1, 2014, according to Secretary of State records.

Ostrem filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in the fall of 2015, listing assets of less than $50,000 and liabilities between $50,000 and $100,000

By the time he filed for bankruptcy, Ostrem had racked up more than $58,000 in credit card debt, according to federal bankruptcy records.

At that time, Ostrem listed gross monthly wages of $3,791.67, which would amount to an annual income of $45,500. Through Sept. 14, 2015, Ostrem reported income of $23,637. In 2014 and 2013, he reported income of $47,028 and $7,958, respectively.

Suspect in Wednesday’s Walmart killings was “creepy,” neighbors say. Once told a woman who wished him nice day “Ef you.”
— Tom McGhee (@dpmcghee) November 2, 2017

Walmart suspect was always looking out his window and seemed paranoid, neighbor says. He often put a rifle bag in his trunk.
— Tom McGhee (@dpmcghee) November 2, 2017

Four months earlier, in May 2015, he sold a 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X truck to Frontline Auto Brokers in Longmont for $16,000, using the proceeds “for repairs and purchase different car.” His personal property at the time of filing included a 1997 Buick Regal in fair condition with 133,000 miles. The sedan was valued at $1,550.

At the time of bankruptcy, he owed $2,428 in state ($489) and federal ($1,939) taxes. At the time of bankruptcy, he listed $40 in cash on hand and $100 in his checking account. He had no savings.

His personal property consisted of primarily household items — appliances, electronics, furniture — along with clothing and fishing poles. Ostrem’s debts consisted primarily of open revolving credit accounts, according to federal records.

Denver Post reporter Alica Wallace contributed to this story.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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