The assailant was subsequently shot dead by a police officer who happened to be nearby. Witnesses reported that the shooter got out of a silver sedan and began firing at shoppers, causing a stampede as people fled in terror.

Several witnesses mentioned that they saw victims, some of whom appeared to be children. There were also reports of a police officer and a mall security guard lying unconscious on the ground.

This incident is the latest example of gun violence in the United States.

“At 3:36 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, an Allen Police Department officer on an unrelated call heard gunshots at Allen Premium Outlets. The officer engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat. The officer then called for emergency personnel to respond. Nine victims were transported to local hospitals by Allen Fire Department. A multi-agency response helped secure the mall. There is no longer an active threat,” Allen Police Department said in a Facebook post.

“Seven individuals, including the suspect, were deceased at the scene. Nine were transported to regional hospitals where two later succumbed to their injuries. As of Saturday evening, three victims were in critical condition and four were stable,” the department said in an updated statement.

A dashcam video that went viral online depicted a gunman getting out of a vehicle near the mall and firing at pedestrians on the sidewalk. As the vehicle that recorded the video drove away, over thirty gunshots could be heard.

The White House announced that President Biden had been informed about the incident and that the administration had provided assistance to local authorities. The Republican Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, who had previously relaxed gun control laws after earlier mass shootings, described the incident as an "unspeakable tragedy." (ILKHA)