Texas mall shooting: Everything we know about deadly outlet massacre
Eight people died and seven were injured when a gunman in tactical gear and holding an assault rifle opened fire on an outlet mall in Allen, Texas.
The suspect was shot dead by a police officer who did not respond to a call with no connection, police said.
He was identified by law enforcement as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia, according to NBC News.
Hundreds of shoppers fled Allen Premium Outlets, a large outdoor mall, after gunfire erupted around 3.30pm local time on Saturday.
Seven people, including the shooter, were pronounced dead at the scene and two others died after being taken to hospital, the Allen Police Department said.
Here’s what we know about the filming so far.
How the shoot developed
Dashcam video circulating on social media appeared to show the gunman exiting a gray sedan just outside the mall’s entrance and immediately firing at passers-by in the parking lot.
More than three dozen shots were heard on the recordings.
Witnesses told CNN that panicked shoppers screamed and hid behind cars as the suspect fired indiscriminately.
Inside the mall, families and employees rushed to take cover in storage areas and hallways, witnesses said.
An officer attending an unrelated call at the Allen Premium Outlets heard gunshots at 3:36 p.m. Saturday, according to Allen Police.
The officer “preoccupied the suspect and neutralized the threat,” police said in a statement on Facebook.
Audio material obtained from the Daily Mail captured the officer and told Dispatch, “I need all I have.”
About two minutes after calling for backup, the officer said he “got him down.”
The area was soon flooded with police officers and medics.
Hundreds of shoppers exit Allen Premium Outlets Saturday after a mass shooting.
(Associated Press)
An image obtained by the media appeared to show the suspect lying on the ground after being shot.
He wore black body armor, extra magazines strapped to his chest, and an AR-15 rifle rested beside him.
Maxwell Gum, a 16-year-old employee at the pretzel stand, told the Associated Press that frightened shoppers were rushing in for safety. He said he was hiding in a storage room.
Another witness, Kingsley Ezeh, told CNN he heard a woman yell behind her, “Somebody shoot,” and saw a man holding a blood-soaking throat wound.
Mr Ezeh said he and others huddled in the back of a store for more than two hours as police cleared the scene.
Allen’s resident Steven Spainhouer said he rushed to the scene after his son, who worked at an H&M store in the outlet, called him.
Mr Spainhouer said he saw several children among the deceased and attempted CPR on several of the victims. At least three of the people he tried to save died at the scene from their injuries.
“I never thought that 100 years from now I’d be in the position of being the first responder on the job site taking care of people,” Mr Spainhouer told CBS News.
“The first girl I went to was crouched in the bushes and covering her head, so I checked for a pulse, pulled her head to the side and she had no face.”
Video footage showed hundreds of shoppers exiting the mall with their hands raised.
What we know about the victims
Seven people – including the suspect – were killed at the scene, Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd called at a press conference on Saturday. Nine people were taken to the hospital, where two others succumbed to their injuries.
Three survivors underwent surgery Saturday night and were in critical condition, Boyd said. Four others were in stable condition.
Medical City Healthcare spokeswoman Janet St. James said her trauma facilities admitted eight patients, ranging in age from 5 to 61, after the shooting.
The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been released, but witnesses said they were young children.
What we know about the suspect
On Sunday afternoon, NBC News reported he had been identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia, citing law enforcement sources.
Police have not yet confirmed his identity or released a possible motive.
The shooter drove to the mall himself. Video showed him exiting a gray sedan, wearing black tactical gear, armed with an AR-15 style gun and opening fire.
Law enforcement reportedly searched Garcia’s home.
The Texas Bureau of Public Safety is leading the investigation into the suspect. The FBI and Texas Rangers were also deployed to assist local law enforcement in the investigation.
What the legislature says
Allen Mayor Ken Fulk said in a statement that law enforcement’s quick thinking prevented a major loss of life.
“Your thorough training in not hesitating to face the threat probably saved more lives today.”
He said the community will “put our arms around the victims and families” affected by the tragedy.
“Allen is a proud and safe city, which makes today’s senseless act of violence even more shocking,” he said.
Police officers at a mall in Allen, Texas, where a gunman killed eight people on Saturday.
(Associated Press)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who recently signed legislation relaxing gun restrictions, called the mall shooting an “unspeakable tragedy.”
His comments drew anger from gun safety advocates and state and national legislators.
Roland Gutierrez, a Texas state senator, said MSNBC There was a “special place in hell” for lawmakers who are doing nothing to stem the unprecedented wave of gun violence.
“I don’t care about their thoughts and I don’t care about their prayers,” Mr Gutierrez said.
Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland school shooting, called Mr. Abbott to tell Texans the truth about why mass shootings continue.
“You must explain that your policy failed and you lied. Your politics are to blame.”
Survivors of the mass shooting at the Allen Mall are escorted from the scene by police officers.
(via REUTERS)
President Joe Biden pleaded with Congress to send him legislation banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and introducing universal background checks.
“Republican congressmen cannot continue to shrug off this epidemic,” he said in a statement. “Tweeted thoughts and prayers are not enough.”
He ordered American flags to be flown at half-mast in the White House, public buildings, and military bases as a sign of respect for the victims.
Senator Ted Cruz said he is praying for the victims and for the broader Collin County community.
“Thank you to the incredible law enforcement agencies who put a stop to the monster that committed this evil act.”
The shooting came a week after five family members were killed by a Cleveland neighbor after he asked him to stop firing his gun while a baby slept.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, by 2023 there have already been nearly 200 mass shootings.
FBI requests video of shooting
The FBI is asking anyone who has video, audio, or photo evidence of Saturday’s shooting to share it with them.
The Bureau has set up a portal where evidence can be submitted anonymously.
The FBI told CNN it has “a presence in two Dallas locations” and is assisting state and local police by providing “all resources available to engage investigative, intelligence, digital forensics and victim services personnel, among others.”
