Dallas.- At least nine people were injured and an unspecified number were killed Saturday after a shooting occurred at a shopping center north of Dallas, authorities said.
In a press conference Saturday night, Allen, Texas, Police Chief Brian E. Harvey confirmed that people were killed but did not provide further details.
A spokesman for Medical City Healthcare, which treated at least eight victims at three trauma centers, said the ages of those injured ranged from 5 to 61. His state of health has not been disclosed.
Chief Harvey said a police officer, who was on unrelated duty at the Allen Premium Outlets at the time of the shooting, killed the shooter.
Police believe the subject acted alone. The identity and motive of the armed man are unknown.
Officials counted at least nine people who were taken to hospitals, though more victims may have been taken away in private vehicles, Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said.
The shots occurred Saturday afternoon as shoppers packed into this mall, which is located about 25 miles north of Dallas and has more than 120 stores.
Videos circulating on social media show people running for cover or through a parking lot as gunshots are heard.
Witnesses described the scene as chaos after shots were heard around 3:30 pm local time.
A live broadcast by a Fox affiliate showed groups of shoppers being evacuated in an orderly fashion from stores including H&M, Michael Kors, American Eagle and Kay Jewels.
Brayson Jones, 17, arrived early to start his shift at the Champs Sports store and was sitting in his car when he heard “probably 20 or more shots” and saw people running out of the stores,” he said.
In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott called the shooting “a tremendous tragedy” and added that he had contacted Allen Mayor Ken Fulk and Texas Department of Safety Director Steven McCraw to offer “the full support of the State of Texas and the necessary help and resources that they immediately deployed.”
