Nearly one day after a gunman killed eight people and wounded seven others at a suburban Dallas, Texas, shopping mall, authorities have provided few details about the victims, shooter, or conditions of those who were hospitalized.
Authorities have also yet to name or provide the ages of the victims or their murderer, who was shot dead by police.
As of Saturday night, three of those wounded were in critical condition and four of those were described as being “stable”. Medical City Healthcare, which was providing treatment to several of the wounded, said wounded patients at their facilities ranged from ages five to 61.
The gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets on Saturday afternoon before being killed by a police officer who happened to be there in connection with an unrelated call. The police chief, Brian E Harvey, did disclose that he acted alone, the Times reported.
News reported that authorities are investigating whether the shooting was a case of domestic terrorism. The network cited sources who described the killer as wearing “patches or stickers” on his clothes suggesting that he might have held extremist beliefs, though details have not been publicly confirmed and therefore the motive remains unclear.
Federal law enforcement officers were seen at a Dallas home thought to be linked to the shooter. Authorities are examining his electronic devices and social media accounts to understand his motive. Sources told the network that authorities recovered the rifle used in the shooting as well as more guns in the attacker’s car.
Police radio transmissions cited by News provide more insight into the chronology of the shooting. “We got shots fired at the Allen Mall,” the officer who went to the mall for an unrelated issue told a police dispatcher over the radio. “We got people running. I need everybody I got.”
Shortly thereafter, the officer said: “I got him down.” One witness told that she heard police arrive at the mall about five to 10 minutes after gunfire erupted. While officials have released few details, local politicians have provided plenty of on-record commentary, much of which has spurred criticism over the lack of meaningful gun control in the US.
Store employees and shoppers recalled chaos and terror as bullets rang out. Rama Bataineh, 20, was on her lunch break from Coach when the gunman started shooting, she told News.
Unable to get into her car, Bataineh telephoned her manager, who let her into a back door. “I went inside and all the customers, all the employees, everyone was in the back sitting on the floor,” she told . “Everyone was terrified.”
Police brought the group outside when the gunfire stopped. “I saw a body – there was a guy in front of me,” Bataineh told the network. “I didn’t sleep all night. I’d wake up and throw up.”
Texas Republican US senator Ted Cruz’s comment Saturday that he and his wife were “praying for the families of the victims” spurred outcry as many insist he should push for substantial gun safety reform.
Shannon Watts, who founded gun safety group Moms Demand Action, commented on Twitter in response to Cruz: “YOU helped arm him with guns, ammo and tactical gear. He did exactly what you knew he’d do. Spare us your prayers and talk of justice for a gunman who is … dead”.
Saturday’s murders in Allen came during at least the 21st mass murder in the US so far this year, keeping the country on record pace, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The archive defines a mass murder as one in which four or more victims are slain.