Texas officials have announced that eight people were killed and seven others injured in an incident at Allen Premium Outlets Saturday afternoon.
Jonathan Boyd, chief of Allen Fire Department, reported that three victims remain in critical condition. Four injured victims were stable. The suspected shooter is not included in the total of nine deaths. Seven people died at the scene and two more succumbed later to their injuries.
At a press conference on Saturday night, Brian Harvey, the police chief said that an officer was responding to a call unrelated at Allen Premium Outlets when shots rang out at 3:36 pm.
According to police, the officer “engaged and neutralized” the suspect. Fox News reported that a law enforcement source said that the suspect shooter was dead and they believed he had acted alone.
Local authorities hold press conferences on Texas mall shootingVideo
A spokesperson for Medical City Healthcare told FOX4 Dallas that eight patients between the ages 5 and 61 were being treated at their facility.
Twitter announced earlier Saturday that the ATF Dallas Field Division was responding to a shooting situation. FBI officials were on the scene.
Joshua W. Barnwell, Operations Administrator at FOX 4 in Dallas, said that he had heard around 30 gunshots on the ground and seen 60 rounds of ammo.
Aerial view of mall shoppers
The aerial footage shows that hundreds of people left the mall following the shooting. (FOX 4 Dallas)
When a mother was shopping with her daughter, she said that she heard popping sounds and saw sparks fly.
Elaine Penicaro told FOX 4 that “we were outside the Converse shop and we heard all this popping.” We all stopped and heard a loud ‘Pop’, then we saw sparks fly.
Allen Police Department issued a tweet on Saturday afternoon asking everyone to stay away from the area.
Allen Premium Outlets is under law enforcement’s watch. The statement stated that an active investigation was underway. Please avoid the area until further updates.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released a statement in which he expressed his condolences, and affirmed that the state would provide resources to local officials.
Abbott stated in the statement that “our hearts are with Allen, Texas during this unspeakable disaster.” I have spoken with Mayor Fulk, DPS Director McCraw, as well as state and local leaders, and offered to provide the full support of Texas to the local officials. This includes DPS officers and Texas Rangers.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Allen Police Department, but so far no response.
