The latest reports out of area hospitals say two of the three people who had been clinging to their lives after Saturday's shooting in Allen are out of critical condition.
Medical City Healthcare says one has been upgraded to serious condition, the other is now in fair condition. There is still one person listed in critical condition.
In the meantime, the investigation into the gunman continues. Authorities are probing the background of Mauricio Garcia to determine whether his motive was tied to racial hatred.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is tracing where Garcia got all his guns.
Allen Police officials have identified the suspected gunman as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia.
Garcia, dressed in black body armour and armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle, started shooting moments after arriving at the scene Saturday afternoon.
At this time, police do not have a motive for his actions.
A gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets mall on Saturday afternoon, killing 9 people before he was shot and killed by an Allen Police Officer. That officer was at the mall for another call and confronted the shooter.
“The officer engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat. He then called for emergency personnel. Nine victims were transported to local hospitals by Allen Fire Department,” Allen Police wrote in a Facebook post. “There is no longer an active threat."
The first call about shots being fired came in just after 3:30pm on Saturday.
A TikTok video posted by the account dallas_texastv allegedly includes audio of the gunfire at the mall.
"Our officer was at Allen Premium Outlets on an unrelated call. He heard gunshots, located the shooter, neutralized the threat," said Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey. "We believe at this point the shooter acted alone."
Medical City Healthcare is treating several patients who were injured in the shooting.
"Our rescue task force teams found seven deceased individuals on scene," said Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd. "We transported nine individuals to the hospitals to area trauma facilities. OF those individuals that we transported, two have since died. Three are critical. Four are stable."
Witnesses at the mall were shocked by the eruption of violence in the crowded shopping center.
"We were there for not more than five minutes and we heard the popping," said Colleen Korchak. "My son ran to the doorway and immediately saw the shooter dressed all in black." She took refuge in a nearby store with her son until the shooter was down.
"I didn't feel safe enough to go and render aid of any sort. It was too dangerous," Korchack said. "It was too dangerous. I'm upset about being a nurse and not being able to help. With the gunshots...you can't."
Several elected officials held a news conference late Saturday evening.
"My family and I are heartbroken and devastated for the loss of life that we experienced today in our community, and we're angry about those that would do evil in our community and our backyard," said Collin County Judge Chris Hill. "As a community we will respond, and we will get past this together."
City leaders pledged their support for the victims and their families.
"Today is a tragic day for the city of Allen. We are a strong and caring community and we all want the victims and their families impacted by this tragedy to know that we will wrap our arms around you and we are here for you," said Allen Mayor Ken Fulk. "Allen is a proud and safe city, which makes today's senseless act of violence even more shocking. However, I want to commend our police and fire departments for their quick response. Their thorough training not to hesitate - to move toward the threat - likely saved more lives today than what we could imagine."
Allen Police have not yet publicly identified the shooter or any of the victims. A vigil is scheduled for 5:00pm on Sunday, May 7th at the Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church.
Allen Premium Outlets issued a statement about the shooting Saturday night.
"We are horrified by today's senseless tragedy and outraged by the violence that continues to plague our country," they wrote. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and others affected by this heinous act. We are thankful for the police officer's heroic actions and for the support of all the first responders."
H&M has issued the following statement:
"We are extremely saddened about the events that occurred at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas. All the H&M employees are safe and accounted for, and counseling will be available to anyone that requires. H&M will remain closed today."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Fox News Sunday said he is going today to Allen, to visit the site of the shooting.
Governor Abbott told Fox the issue at hand is mental health and not gun law reform. Abbott also said Texas has been lagging in providing mental health services but is taking steps to put the necessary resources in place.
President Joe Biden has ordered the United States flag to be flown at half-staff across the country until sunset on May 11, 2023, in honor of the victims of the Allen Premium Outlets shooting.
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