Customers were spotted exiting the mall, some of them had raised arms. Image source: REUTERS
According to emergency services, a shooter shot and murdered eight persons who were shopping at a mall north of Dallas, Texas.
Numerous people were forced to flee after a shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets mall in Texas, where a guy is said to have fired randomly at onlookers.
Some of the victims, according to eyewitness accounts, were youngsters.
Along with the shooter, at least seven victims were confirmed dead at the spot, and two more passed away later in hospitals.
In the hospital, three patients are still in critical condition.
A police officer who was already at the mall for a different incident “heard gunshots, went to the gunshots, engaged the suspect, and neutralized the suspect,” according to Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey.
According to a hospital source, the victims’ ages range from 5 to 51.
In a tweet, the Allen Police Department pleaded with anyone with knowledge on the shooting to come forward.
“We are aware of numerous recordings about the incident at Allen Premium Outlets that are being posted on social media and other sites.
Anyone having video of the incident or information should get in touch with the Allen Police Department right now, the statement added.
Investigations are still being conducted, and no motive for the shooting has been established.
A witness reported seeing a man shooting at individuals while completely in black and wearing a vest.
Before reaching refuge at the back of the store, the witness claimed to have heard ten pops, followed by another ten to fifteen bullets.
People could be seen running for shelter in a parking lot while gunfire could be heard on video footage taken at the scene.
With a population of about 105,000, Allen is a city 20 miles (32 km) north of the center of Dallas.
With few limits on the possession of rifles and shotguns, most adults in Texas who are 21 or older are allowed to carry a handgun without a license, unless they have a criminal record.
The Republicans are in charge of the Texas state legislature.
As of May 7, 2023, there have been at least 198 mass shootings in the US in which four or more people have been killed or injured, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
The number of such incidents at this stage of the year is at its highest level since at least 2016.
Fontayne Payton, an eyewitness at the mall, told the AP news agency that he heard gunshots while shopping at H&M via his headphones.
He spoke of witnessing bodies outside the mall after people were permitted to leave.
He said, “I hope it wasn’t kids, but it looked like kids.” “When I walked out and saw that, it broke me.”
“A tragic day” for the city, according to Allen Mayor Ken Fulk.
He said on the city’s website, “Allen is a proud and safe city, which makes today’s senseless act of violence even more shocking.”
The prompt highlights the praise provided to the police and fire agencies by Texas Senator John Cornyn for their swift response to the most recent mass shooting in Allen, Texas.
They saved more lives because to their excellent training, Senator Cornyn said.
In addition to praising the Allen community, Senator Cornyn also sent his condolences and that he was hurting alongside them.
He also commended everyone who took part in responding to the situation for their prompt action.
Texas police detained a guy earlier this week on suspicion of fatally shooting five of his neighbors, including a nine-year-old boy.