A deadly shooting occurred at the Allen Premium Outlets in Texas, where panicked shoppers scrambled to find cover as the sound of gunfire echoed throughout the parking lot. Employees, shoppers, and families with young children ran to storage areas or back hallways to hide while the shooting was underway, witnesses reported. The shooting left eight people dead and at least seven others wounded in the affluent suburb of Allen located approximately 25 miles north of Dallas. According to police, the gunman was killed by an officer from the Allen Police Department, who happened to be at the mall on an unrelated call. Investigators believe that the shooter acted alone.
The gunman, who was wearing black body armor and carrying an AR-15-style firearm, was seen lying on the ground in a photograph, with extra magazines strapped to his chest gear. At least nine people were transported to trauma facilities, two of whom died, according to Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd. Of the surviving victims, three were in critical condition and undergoing surgery, while four were stable as of Saturday night.
A witness, Kingsley Ezeh, recounted that he was walking inside the mall when he suddenly saw people running behind him. Other witnesses reported sheltering in place for up to two hours while police cleared the scene. Aerial footage showed hundreds of shoppers weaving through police cars and ambulances as they were escorted from the scene. Republican US Rep. Keith Self, whose congressional district includes Allen, praised the quick response from law enforcement, which likely prevented more casualties.
However, the shooting marks another massacre in a public place where Americans had long felt safe, such as schools, supermarkets, and Fourth of July parades. The United States has already suffered nearly 200 mass shootings within the first five months of this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Governor Greg Abbott plans to visit Allen on Sunday to address questions that families of the victims have regarding the incident.
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