Deadly Shooting at Allen Premium Outlets in Texas: 8 people murdered, 7 injured

Authorities arrived to the Allen Premium Outlets on Saturday afternoon to investigate a shooting that killed eight people and sent others to the hospital, with one victim as young as five years old.

The Allen Police Department said one of its officers was responding to an unrelated complaint at the outlet mall when they heard gunshots shortly after 3:30 p.m.

The officer “engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat,” according to authorities.

There were nine fatalities, including the shooter. Seven people were pronounced dead at the site, while two others died later at the hospital.

Nine victims were taken by the Allen Fire Department, but more may have been carried by other agencies or driven to a hospital by friends or relatives.

According to police, three victims are in critical condition and four are in stable condition. According to a spokesman for Medical City Healthcare, eight victims ranging in age from five to 61 are being treated at their facilities. 

The Allen Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and ATF were among the authorities that responded to secure the site.

According to police, there is no current threat at this moment, and the gunman acted alone.

“We were outside the Converse store and just heard all this popping,” Elaine Penicaro, who was shopping with her daughter, explained. “We kind of all just stopped, and then a second later, just ‘Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,’ & there were sparks flying like it was right in front of us.”

When they heard the gunshot, Penicaro claimed they ducked into a store for shelter.

As police responded to the gunfire, terrified people took cover in the rear of establishments. 

“Got boxes to shut the door because we didn’t know where the shooter was, mayhem and panic,” Abu Akther explained. 

Akther was outside H&M with his wife and 1-year-old child when he heard gunfire.

He drew a woman inside the store who he claimed had been shot in the side. 

“At that point, she said, ‘I don’t know why I’m shot.'” ‘What exactly is going on?’ “I saw blood pouring out of her stomach,” Akther remembered.

“I heard at least 30 gunshots in a rapid concession,” one witness said.

Investigators proceeded through each store one by one, eventually allowing customers to leave with their hands up. 

One individual told FOX 4 that as he emerged from hiding in H&M, he was met with an unthinkable sight on the pavement. 

“I had on my headphones and then I heard boom, boom, boom, loud shots,” he explained. “Bodies, like those found under white covers.”

Hundreds of shoppers were left to watch as police swarmed the area from across Chelsea Boulevard, waiting for loved ones to arrive. 

“We thought we heard fireworks and then people running,” Sandra McKinley recalled.

McKinley and her son, Ryan, 13, were gathered inside American Eagle. 

“I think a lot of us were hoping, like, this isn’t really happening, you know?” She went on to say.

Hundreds of people experienced reality Saturday afternoon when they embraced upon being reunited. 

On Chelsea Boulevard, a reunion point has been established.

The authorities, including the Allen Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and ATF, responded to secure the site. Police stated that the shooter acted alone and there is no current threat at this moment. The investigation is ongoing, and the Allen Police Department advises residents to avoid the area.

The Allen Police Department announced on social media that an active investigation is underway and advised residents to avoid the area.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has video of it should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Follow the whole story with The New York Times

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