Outlet mall shooting: Police confirm 8 deaths; sources identify gunman

ALLEN, Texas — Eight people died and at least seven others were injured on Saturday after a gunman opened fire at an outlet mall in a suburb north of Dallas, authorities said. Police added that the suspected gunman was also dead.

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According to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of Dallas, personnel were called to Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, The Dallas Morning News reported. The mall has about 120 stores, KDFW-TV reported.

Family members identify one of 8 victims

Update 7:15 p.m. EDT May 7: Family members have identified one of the eight victims killed at the Allen Premium Outlets mall in Allen, Texas, several media outlets reported.

According to KTVT, KDFW-TV and CNN, family members said that 20-year-old Christian LaCour, who was a security guard at the outlet mall, was one of the people killed when a gunman began shooting on Saturday.

LaCour’s mother told KDFW that he grew up in nearby Farmersville and worked at the mall.

LaCour’s grandmother posted on social media that his sister was located, but that he had been killed.

“He was such a beautiful soul,” the woman wrote, according to KTVT. “I was so proud of him and so glad I got to see him 2 weeks ago.”

Police have not revealed the names of the victims. Authorities did not hold a news conference on Sunday.

-- Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Sources: Shooter was 33-year-old man

Update 3:13 p.m. EDT May 7: The gunman responsible for the shooting that killed nine people and injured seven others has been identified, several media outlets reported.

While police have not officially named the suspect, KTVT, KDFW-TV and CNN, each citing anonymous law enforcement source, identified the man as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia of Dallas.

The Associated Press, citing three law enforcement officials who requested anonymity, also identified Garcia as the shooter.

The suspect had been living at a Dallas extended stay motel, police told The Dallas Morning News. He did not have a serious criminal history (no felonies) and was reportedly working as a security guard, KTVT reported.

-- Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Police provide update on victims’ conditions

Update 2:47 p.m. EDT May 7: Allen Police Department said in a news release that as of Sunday morning said that three victims in critical condition and one in fair condition are being treated at Medical City McKinney. One victim was transferred to a Level 1 trauma center in Medical City Plano and is in fair condition. Another victim was transferred to a children’s hospital in the area and currently in fair condition. A ninth victim was taken to another hospital.

“Our community is grieving the shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets on Saturday, May 6 which resulted in the deaths of eight victims as well as the suspected shooter,” police say.

Police also said that they are working with the FBI and the outlets to reunite people with their cars that were left at the scene with additional updates to come later in the day Sunday.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is the lead agency in the investigation into the shooting, CNN reported.

- Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

President Biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Update 11:15 a.m. EDT May 7: In a news release, President Joe Biden has ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff until May 11.

“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 6, 2023, in Allen, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 11, 2023,” Biden said.

- Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

President Biden briefed on shooting

Update 10:14 a.m. EDT May 7: President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting in Allen, Texas Saturday, according to The Associated Press. The Biden Administration has offered support and assistance to local officials, according to the White House.

The Allen Premium Outlets also released a statement to KDFW.

“We are horrified by today’s senseless tragedy and outraged by the violence that continues to plague our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and others affected by this heinous act. We are thankful for the police officer’s heroic actions and for the support of all the first responders,” said Allen Premium Outlets in a statement obtained by KDFW.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the shooting an “unspeakable tragedy,” the AP reported.

- Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Officials: 8 people dead after shooting at Texas outlet mall

Update 10:13 p.m. EDT May 6: Allen Fire Department Chief Jonathan Boyd said that six people were killed at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas. Two others died at area hospitals, bringing the total number of fatalities to eight. The gunman was also killed and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

During a news conference at the Allen City Hall, Boyd added that of the seven surviving victims, three were in critical condition and four were in stable condition.

Authorities confirm fatalities

Update 8:43 p.m. EDT May 6: Authorities confirmed that there were victims who died in Saturday’s shooting at an outlet mall in suburban Dallas, The Associated Press and CNN reported. Authorities did not provide a number but were preparing to announce more details in a news conference.

The gunman who opened fire at Allen Premium Outlets, about 35 miles north of downtown Dallas, was killed, police said.

Medical City Healthcare, a Dallas-area hospital system, said in a written statement that it was treating eight victims between the ages of 5 and 61, according to the AP. The conditions of the victims were unclear, according to the news organization.

9 taken to trauma units, fire chief says

Update 7:45 p.m. EDT May 6: Jonathan Boyd, chief of the Allen Fire Department, said during a brief news conference that nine people were transported to a trauma center. Boyd did not say how many people were injured, but added that it was possible that others may have gone to area hospitals in private vehicles.

“We don’t have any firm numbers,” Allen Police Department Chief Brian Harvey told reporters, adding that there would be an update “in about two hours.”

Harvey added that police believe the gunman acted alone.

Authorities added that some of the victims included children, WFAA-TV reported. According to CNN, the ages of the victims taken to the trauma center were between the ages of 5 years old and 61 years old.

In a written statement, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott said he is in contact with Allen Mayor Ken Fulk, according to The Dallas Morning News.

“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas, tonight during this unspeakable tragedy,” Abbott said.

Witness: ‘We just heard all this popping’

Update 7:36 p.m. EDT May 6: A witness at Allen Premium Outlets told KDFW-TV that she heard “all this popping.”

“We were outside the Converse store and we just heard all this popping,” Elaine Penicaro, who was shopping with her daughter, told the television station. “We kind of all just stopped, and then a second later, just ‘Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,’ and there were sparks flying like it was right in front of us.”

US Rep. Keith Self ‘devastated’ by shooting

Update 7:28 p.m. EDT May 6: In a tweet, U.S. Rep. Keith Self said that he was “devastated” by the shootings. Self, 70, who represents Texas’s 3rd congressional district, told CNN that the scene at Allen Premium Outlets in Allen is “still fluid.”

Meanwhile, police are searching for a possible second gunman, CNN reported.

Sheriff confirms shooter is dead

Update 7:17 p.m. EDT May 6: According to WFAA-TV, police said there were “multiple victims” at the mall. The television station added that the shooter was dead, according to Sheriff Jim Skinner.

Original report: The shooting occurred at about 3:36 p.m. CDT, according to WFAA-TV. An officer on an unrelated call heard the gunshots.

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office told the television station that there is at least one reported shooter in the mall.

“Law enforcement is on the scene at Allen Premium Outlets,” the Allen Police Department wrote on social media. “An active investigation is underway. Please avoid the area until further update.”

Shortly after 5 p.m. CDT, hundreds of people were leaving the mall, many with their hands in the air, according to KDFW-TV.

A spokesperson told the television station that there are “some” victims at the mall, but did not elaborate on their status.

Jaynal Pervez told KTVT that he arrived at the mall after his daughter, who was inside, called to inform him about a shooting.

“We saw the police outside the door, and they told us we had to go, and that they are still looking for the person,” Pervez told the television station, according to CNN. “There’s no more safe places. I don’t know what to do.”

The mall, located about 25 miles north of Dallas, is owned by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, according to the Morning News. The company could not be immediately reached for comment.

Check back for more on this developing story.

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