Eight people were killed after a man opened fire Saturday afternoon at a Texas shopping mall, emergency services reported.
At least seven people were taken to a hospital, three of them in serious condition.
According to witnesses, the subject fired indiscriminately at people in the Allen Premium Outlets, located in the city of Allen. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the shopping complex.
Police reported that they shot the shooter and believe the individual acted alone.
Authorities later identified him as Mauricio Garcia, 33.
Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said seven people, including the subject shooter, were pronounced dead at the scene and two died at the hospital.
Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey said one of his officers “heard gunshots, moved to where the shots were heard, engaged the suspect and neutralized him.”
The victims ranged in age from 5 to 51, according to a hospital spokesman.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, described the shooting as an “unspeakable tragedy” and said the state government stands ready to offer assistance to local authorities.
Police asked potential witnesses who made recordings at the scene to contact the FBI, which is gathering evidence.
Witnesses
Some witnesses noted that the attacker was dressed entirely in black and was wearing combat gear.
Footage captured after his death appeared to show an AR-15 style rifle near his body.
“I heard about ten thuds and then ten to 15 more shots. We see this guy dressed all in black, wearing a vest, shooting at people,” recounted one witness.
“We went into the back of the store.”
TYT Newsroom
