The local government department said on Saturday that a shooting occurred at a shopping center in the Dallas area of Texas, USA, resulting in 8 deaths and 7 injuries, of which 3 were seriously injured. The gunman was shot and killed by a police officer who happened to be nearby.
The authorities did not immediately provide detailed information on the casualties, but witnesses said there were children among them. Some people said they also saw a police officer and a mall security guard fall unconscious on the ground.
This shooting incident is the latest gun violence in the United States. The shooting caused hundreds of shoppers to panic and flee.
The Allen City police posted on Facebook that nine victims have been taken to the hospital. Medical City Healthcare, a hospital system in the Dallas area, stated in a written statement that it is treating 8 patients aged between 5 and 61.
A video of a driving recorder circulating online shows that the gunman walked out of a car outside the mall and immediately fired at people on the sidewalk. As the vehicle recording this video drove away, over thirty gunshots could be heard.
The police said on Facebook that at 3:36 pm on Saturday, a police officer handling other affairs nearby heard gunshots.
The police said, “The police engaged in a battle with the suspect and eliminated the threat. Then he called for emergency personnel. The Allen Fire Department took nine victims to the local hospital… there are no longer ongoing threats.
According to data analysis by The Associated Press and USA Today, the frequency of large-scale shooting incidents in the United States this year is astonishing: on average, there is about one incident per week.
The White House stated that President Biden has received a briefing on the shooting incident, and the Biden administration has provided support to local officials. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said it was an “indescribable tragedy”.
Allen is a suburb located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of downtown Dallas, with approximately 105000 residents.
