On Sunday, the suspected gunman involved in the mass shooting at an Allen, Texa outlet mall that killed eight (including the shooter) was identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia — described as a neo-Nazi sympathizer who lived in Dallas. CNN reported that Garcia used an AR-15-style weapon based on photos obtained from the scene. He also had a handgun and was reportedly wearing a tactical vest with a “right-wing acronym” patch on his chest.
The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Allen Premium Outlets mall, about 25 miles north of downtown Dallas. Witnesses said that they saw the shooter near a Fatburger restaurant at the mall. The Allen Police Department said one of its officers was responding to an unrelated call nearby when they heard the gunfire. The officer “engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat.”mIn a news conference, Allen Fire Department Chief Jonathan Boyd said nine people were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Two later died, leaving three in critical condition and four stable. Medical City Healthcare said it received eight of the victims, ranging in age from 5 to 61 years old.
Garcia was living in a motel and working as a security guard at the time of the shooting, sources told CBS Texas. He did not have a serious criminal record; and authorities raided a house late Saturday night in Dallas that belonged to the gunman’s parents.
President Biden on Sunday ordered all flags at the White House and at public buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff “as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Fox News on Sunday that the state was working to address the “root cause” of the anger and violence that the country is facing: “People want a quick solution, the long-term solution here is to address the mental health issue.”
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