According to local police statements, seven people died at the scene and two others in the hospital, while three wounded are in critical condition.
The Allen Fire Department transported nine people to area hospitals, Allen Fire Department Chief Jonathan Boyd said. Seven people died on scene at the Allen Premium Outlets and two others were pronounced dead at the hospital, Boyd said Saturday evening. Three other victims were in critical condition.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims,” Allen Police Chief Brian E. Harvey said at a news conference. “This is a tragedy. People will be looking for answers. And we just, we’re sorry that those families are experiencing that loss.”
Further details about the victims have not been released, but some witnesses told The Associated Press they saw children among them.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said in a statement that he has been in contact with state and local officials to offer “the full support of the State of Texas” and “ensure all needed assistance and resources are swiftly deployed.”
“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakable tragedy,” Abbott added.
A White House official said President Biden had been briefed on the shooting and was closely monitoring the situation and in touch with local officials to offer support.
This is the third shooting reported this weekend, as two fatal shootings popped on Friday night, one in Texas and another in Mississippi.
The numbers of gun violence seem unstoppable in the United States, where in just three and a half months since the beginning of the year nearly 160 mass shootings have occurred, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
A Kaiser Family Foundation survey revealed that concern and fear of gun violence is widespread in the United States, with most American families having been affected by a gun-related incident.
Statistics show that one in five adults has had a loved one killed by a gun, including homicide and suicide, CNN reported, warning that these lethal trends are part of an epidemic of violence in the country.
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