One more. This Saturday, May 6, a mass shooting in Allen, Texas, claimed the lives of innocent people.
It was Saturday afternoon when a gunman opened fire at Allen Premium Outlets, a shopping center on the outskirts of Dallas, Texas. Eight people were killed and seven more were injured by bullets fired by 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia.
According to local officials, the man was interacting with neo-Nazi and white supremacist content online.
The horrific act occurred around 3:30 p.m., when the outdoor mall was packed with people. Videos circulating on social media show people running in the opposite direction of the shooter and seeking shelter.
Others ran through the parking lot, not sure what was happening.
Garcia, the perpetrator, died at the scene after being fatally shot by a police officer who was on an unrelated duty at the mall, who upon hearing gunshots ran in the direction they were coming from and killed the attacker.
The Allen Police Department said in a statement that they, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety are conducting a joint investigation and providing ongoing security at the mall.
In this regard, he said that the agencies are working to provide citizens who have personal belongings and vehicles in the area of the shopping center with a safe and fast plan to recover their belongings.
According to Allen, Texas, Police Chief Brian E. Harvey, the perpetrator acted alone, and the act is not yet classified as an act of domestic terrorism.
In this regard, President Joseph Biden and his wife regretted and condemned the events.
"Eight Americans, including children, were killed yesterday in Allen, Texas, the latest act of gun violence to devastate our nation. Jill and I are praying for their families and those critically injured. We are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and bravely," the president tweeted.
He also said that the attacker had tactical equipment and was armed with an AR-15 rifle.
"Such an attack is too shocking to be so familiar. We need more action, faster to save lives," he wrote.
“Once again, Congress must send me a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Enact universal background checks. Require secure storage. End immunity for gun manufacturers. I will sign it immediately. We need nothing less to keep our streets safe,” Biden stressed.
At the time, the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, reproached the little effort of Congress for gun control on his Twitter account.
“Is this freedom?? To get shot in a mall? Shot in a school? Shot in a church? Shot in a movie theater? We have become a nation that focuses more on the right to kill than the right to live. This is not what the American people want. Do your damn job, Congress.”
For its part, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on its Twitter account that the Allen City Police has confirmed that ‒so far‒ there are no Mexican victims among the deceased or among the wounded, and deeply regretted the tragic shooting.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
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