Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended a prayer vigil on Sunday for the victims of an outdoor mall shooting in Allen, Texas.
“The hearts of all Texans are with Allen, Texas. Tonight, I joined my fellow Texans in Allen for a community vigil for the innocent lives lost last night and for those who are recovering from injuries. As this community heals, Texas will be with you every step of the way,” Abbott wrote on Twitter Sunday night.
More than two dozen lawmakers, including Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and others, joined community members at the Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church to remember the eight who were killed by an attacker in Allen, Texas, on Saturday and to pray for those still recovering.
On Saturday afternoon, an attacker killed eight and wounded seven others when he opened fire on shoppers at the Allen Premium Outlets. Seven people, including the shooter, died at the scene, Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said during a press conference hours after the brutal massacre took place. Two others died at a local hospital.
Six victims ranging in age from 5 to 61 remain hospitalized on Monday.
Four of the victims remain hospitalized at Medical City McKinney—three are in critical condition and one in fair condition, Medical City told The Epoch Times in a statement.
A fifth victim at Medical City Plano is in fair condition.
A child victim is listed in good condition at Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas.
“Our emergency, trauma, surgical, ICU, and nursing teams responded to this tragic event with speed, skill, and tremendous compassion for the patients, their families, and each other. We are privileged to work alongside and stand with first responders, victims, their loved ones and the North Texas Community at this time,” Medical City wrote in a statement, KXAS reported.
The Victims
Christian LaCour of Farmersville, Texas, has been identified as one of the victims killed in the massacre, The Dallas Morning News reported.
A relative of the 20-year-old told the newspaper that he was “a sweet, caring young man who was loved greatly by [their] family.”
LaCour’s father told KXAS that his son was working as a security guard at the outlet mall when the shooting occurred.
Aishwarya Thatikonda, a 27-year-old from Hyderabad, India, has also been identified as one of the victims, The Times of India reported.
Thatikonda was a project manager at Perfect General Contractors LLC in Frisco, Texas. Her family is working with officials on the return of her body to India, according to the report.
Three family members—a father, mother, and child—were also among those killed, the South Korean consulate in Houston told The Dallas Morning News. The child’s age is not immediately known.
A 5-year-old child of the couple was also injured, the New Song Church in Carrollton, Texas, told the newspaper in a letter.
“We need prayer,” the South Korean consulate wrote. “Please go to your place of prayer and pray for the family. No words can help with their pain, but we hope that our prayers will be heard by God who will provide healing for the family.”
Sisters Daniela Mendoza, a fourth-grader, and Sofia Mendoza, a second-grader, were both killed in the attack. The girls were students at Cox Elementary in nearby Wylie, Texas. Their mother Ilda Mendoza is among the victims who is listed in critical condition, according to the Wylie ISD Superintendent David Vinson who sent an email informing parents of the news.
“We love our babies, we love them so much,” Vinson wrote according to The Dallas Morning News. “Our love for our kiddos and each other will get us through this. Daniella and Sophia will not be forgotten. Hug your kids, and tell them you love them.”
What Happened?
An Allen police officer was at the mall on an unrelated call when he heard gunfire at 3:36 p.m. The officer quickly acted to neutralize the suspect, Allen police said.
Officials have identified the suspect as Mauricio Garcia, 33, who was staying in an extended-stay motel in Dallas, Texas.
Garica was shot and killed by a responding officer.
A video circulating online showed Garica getting out of a vehicle and firing at people on the sidewalk. At least three dozen shots could be heard as the vehicle that was recording drow away.
Police recovered multiple weapons from the suspect’s vehicle after he was killed, including an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, according to officials.
Police and FBI agents raided Garcia’s parents’ home in Dallas, Texas, about 25 south of Allen.
“They walked out with several boxes—five to six boxes—is all I know,” neighbor Moises Carreon told KDFW news on Sunday.
“It still sends a chill down your spine knowing that the person who commit a horrific crime like this lives five houses away,” Carreon said.
Authorities also searched the Dallas-area motel where Garcia had been staying.
Information regarding a possible motive has not been released.
Victim Assistance
On Monday, the outdoor mall remains closed as authorities provided shuttles allowing individuals to retrieve vehicles and personal belongings from the mall, according to the FBI.
A Family Assistance Center (FAC) has opened at the Allen Senior Recreation Center at 451 St. Mary Drive in Allen.
The American Red Cross, Life Path Systems, Salvation Army, and Collin County Child Advocacy Center have partnered with authorities to provide mental health services, spiritual care, and potential financial assistance for those “directly impacted by the events” that occurred at the mall.
The FAC is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time through Wednesday, with additional dates to be determined.
FBI Asking for Help
The FBI is asking for digital evidence from witnesses who were at the mall on the day of the incident. Information can be submitted online through a page created on the agency’s website.
FBI Dallas, The Texas Rangers, and the Allen Police Department are seeking information on the May 6 shooting that occurred at the Alen Premium Outlet Mall located in Allen, Texas. Please submit images and/or video below,” the website reads.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the multi-agency investigation, which includes the Allen Police Department, FBI, and Texas Rangers.
Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
