Gunman kill Eight people in a shopping mall. A gunman has shot and killed 8 people shopping at a mall north of Dallas, emergency services say.
Several people were rescued from the mall in the city of Allen, as eyewitnesses described a man firing indiscriminately at passers-by.
The gunman was later shot dead by Police Officers even as they said the gunman acted alone.
The victims include young children. At least seven people are being treated in Hospital and three out of seven are in critically condition. Gunman kill Eight people in a shopping mall
Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said seven people – including the gunman – were pronounced dead at the scene and two died later in hospital.
Police Chief Brian Harvey said one police officer heard gunshots and went to the scene. He engaged the gunman and neutralised the suspect.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott described the shooting as an “unspeakable tragedy” and said the state was ready to offer any assistance to local authorities.
US police have asked members of the public who took videos at the scene to contact the FBI collecting evidence.
Some witnesses described the gunman as dressed all in black and wearing combat gear.
Video from the scene showed people running for safety across a parking lot as a series of shots rang out.
Most adults aged 21 and above in Texas are allowed to own a handgun without a licence, unless they have a previous conviction.
In addition, there are few restrictions on possession of rifles and shotguns.
One eyewitness at the mall, Fontayne Payton, told the AP news agency he heard gunshots through his headphones as he shopped at H&M.
When people were allowed to leave the mall, he described seeing bodies outside.
Allen Mayor Ken Fulk called it “a tragic day” for the city. “Allen is a proud and safe city, which makes today’s senseless act of violenceviolence even more shocking,” he said on the city’s website.
The Mayor commended the police and fire departments for their quick response. Their thorough training not to hesitate to move toward the threat likely saved more lives today.
