Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attended a prayer vigil on May 7 for the victims of an outdoor mall shooting in Allen, Texas.
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 people who were killed by an attacker in Allen, Texas, on May 6 and to pray for those still recovering.
On the afternoon of May 6, an attacker killed eight and wounded seven others when he opened fire on shoppers at 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 remained hospitalized on May 8.
Four of the victims remain hospitalized at Medical City McKinney; three are in critical condition and one is 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.
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 [his] family.”
LaCour’s father told KXAS that his son was working as a security guard at the outlet mall when the shooting occurred.
Thatikonda was a project manager at Perfect General Contractors in Frisco, Texas. Her family is working with officials on the return of her body to India, according to the report.
Three members of a family—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 wasn’t immediately released.
Kyu Song Cho, 37, his wife Cyndi Cho, 35, and James, their 3-year-old son, were killed, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The couple’s other son, William, was injured but has been released from the ICU. The family’s only surviving member turned six just days before the shooting.
A GoFundMe account was created to help the family of the victims. As of May 9, the account had surpassed 1.2 million in less than 24 hours.
Sisters Daniela Mendoza, a fourth grader, and Sofia Mendoza, a second grader, were killed in the attack. The girls, ages 11 and 8, respectively, were students at Cox Elementary in nearby Wylie, Texas. Their mother, Ilda Mendoza, is among the victims who are listed in critical condition, according to Wylie Independent School District Superintendent David Vinson, who sent an email informing parents of the news.
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 stated.Officials have identified the suspect as Mauricio Garcia, 33, who was staying in an extended-stay motel in Dallas.
Garcia was shot and killed by the responding officer.
A video circulating online showed Garcia getting out of a vehicle and firing at people on the sidewalk. At least three dozen shots could be heard as the person that was recording drove 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, about 25 miles south of Allen.
“It still sends a chill down your spine knowing that the person who commit [sic] a horrific crime like this lives five houses away.”
Authorities also searched the Dallas-area motel where Garcia had been staying.
Victim Assistance
On May 8, 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 has opened at the Allen Senior Recreation Center at 451 St. Mary Drive in Allen.
The American Red Cross, LifePath 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.
FBI Asking for Help
The FBI is asking for digital evidence from witnesses who were at the mall on the day of the incident. Images and videos can be submitted online through a page created on the agency’s website.The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the multi-agency investigation, which includes the Allen Police Department, FBI, and the Texas Ranger Department.
