The man who fatally shot eight people Saturday at an outdoor shopping mall in Allen "targeted the location rather than a specific group of people," officials say.
Speaking Tuesday at Allen City Hall in the first formal press briefing since Saturday night, Texas DPS Regional Director Hank Sibley said the gunman appeared to arrive at Allen Premium Outlets and start shooting indiscriminately.
"He was very random in the people he killed. It didn't matter the age, race, or sex. He just shot people," Sibley said. "He just shot people, which is horrific in itself."
Sibley added that the shooter, identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia, had eight weapons with him at the time of the shooting -- three on him, and five more in his vehicle. All eight guns appeared to be obtained legally, according to the ATF.
The Texas Rangers, FBI, and ATF will take the lead on the investigation into the shooting, Sibley said. The FBI has Garcia's computer and cell phone, and will comb his digital presence looking for a motive.
Sibley said Garcia, who did not have a criminal history, enlisted in the U.S. Army but was "separated" before he got out of basic training in 2008.
"We know he had Neo-Nazi ideation, he had patches, he had tattoos, even his signature verified that," Sibley said.
Allen police Chief Brian Harvey praised the work of the officer who responded to the shooting and fatally shot Garcia, adding that the department was not yet prepared to release the officer's name in an effort to protect their privacy as they process the event.
Harvey also commended security guard Christian LaCour, who was among the eight victims. He said LaCour shepherded others to safety before he lost his life.
Authorities concluded the physical investigation of the scene, Harvey said and turned the Allen Premium Outlets over to property management. He said it would be up to individual stores as to when they would reopen.
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Dallas Field Office Chad Yarbrough said they were still seeking information from the public. Anyone with information was asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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