The FBI is asking witnesses of the Allen, Texas, outlet mall shooting to submit video evidence to the bureau after a gunman killed eight people and wounded seven others.
“FBI Dallas, The Texas Rangers, and the Allen Texas Police Department are seeking information on the May 6th shooting that occurred at the Allen Premium Outlet Mall located in Allen, Texas. Please submit images and/or video below,” the website reads, directing users to send in their clips and photos.
Dashcam video circulating online showed the gunman getting out of a car and shooting at people on the sidewalk. More than three dozen shots could be heard as the vehicle that was recording the video drove off.
Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said seven people, including the shooter, died at the scene. Two other people died at hospitals. The wounded remained hospitalized on May 7—three in critical condition and four in fair condition—the Allen Police Department stated. An Allen police officer was in the area on an unrelated call when he heard shots at 3:36 p.m., the department wrote on Facebook.
Suspect Reportedly Identified
The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia. Several law enforcement officials told multiple outlets, such as The Associated Press, CNN, NBC, Fox News, and others, that Garcia was named as the suspect.
Garcia was shot and killed by a responding officer. Police also found multiple weapons at the scene after Garcia was fatally shot, including an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, officials said.
Reporters with CNN and other outlets spoke with neighbors who saw FBI and police officers at a home that matched that of Garcia’s parents on the night of May 6. It’s not clear why more details about the shooting suspect have not yet been provided.
Officials told the Dallas Morning News that Garcia was staying in an extended-stay hotel in Dallas.
“He tried to acknowledge us but seemed a little off,“ a neighbor, who only used the name Julie, told NBC News. ”He wasn’t somebody you could carry a conversation with.”
Still, Julie said she was stunned to learn that Garcia was involved in the massacre.
“You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found out,” she said.
Another neighbor, Gilda Bailey, told the network that she saw three police squad cars parked outside his house. Officials wouldn’t allow the relatives inside the home, and she later saw FBI officials removing items from the home.
“I don’t understand what triggered him,” Bailey said.
“Just the thought of living a few houses down from someone who can do this can be a little scary and give you more caution,” Moises Carreon, another neighbor, said, according to the NBC article. “I don’t know why people want to shoot innocent people for any reason.”
President Joe Biden on May 7 called on Congress to pass gun control bills in the wake of the mass shooting.
The Democratic president renewed calls for Congress to ban what he called “assault weapons,” as well as to pass measures on universal background checks and end immunity for gun manufacturers. There is little chance the narrowly divided House and Senate would pass such legislation, while at least one member of his own party, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), said he doesn’t favor gun control.
“Jill and I are praying for their families and those critically injured. We’re grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and courageously.”
