Allen Shooting

This is a tragedy. People will be looking for answers.

Brian Harvey, Allen Police Chief, concerning the shooting in Allen, Texas that left eight people dead last weekend. It is the second deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. this year.

Who: Nine people were killed, including the gunman, and seven people were wounded during an outlet mall shooting. Parents Kyu Song Cho and Cindy Cho and their 3-year-old son James, sisters Daniela (11) and Sofia Mendoza (8), Aishwarya Thatikonda (26), Elio Cumana-Rivas (32), and security guard Christian LaCour (20) were killed by the gunman. Six victims ranging in age from 5 to 61 are still in the hospital.

What: A gunman opened fire at an outlet mall as he stepped out of his car and began shooting people on the sidewalk. A police officer, who had been called to a nearby location for an unrelated reason, heard the shots and confronted the gunman. The gunman was shot and killed.

When: About 3:30pm on Saturday, May 6th.

Where: Allen, Texas, a suburb located about 25 miles north of Dallas.

Why: The motive has not yet been confirmed by authorities.

New information on May 9, 2023 by Texas Dept. of Safety: Texas DPS Regional Director Hank Sibley.

1. Shooter identified from Dallas area; the FBI has his computer and attempting digital forensics.
2. He had "neo-Nazi ideation."
3. Shooter had no criminal history.
4. Shooter was in the U.S. Army in 2008; he was in basic training but never progressed and was "separated" due to questions on fitness for duty.
5. He had a private security license (currently expired) and had worked as a security guard in the past.
6. He had 8 weapons with him; 3 on him and 5 in his vehicle and all purchased legally.
7. Texas DPS says the first impression of the investigation leads them to believe he targeted a location rather than a group of people.
8. Law enforcement said investigators still have much to learn, said it was too soon to call this crime "domestic terrorism" and that questions remain about mental illness.

What to Know About the Allen, Texas, Mall Shooting (The New York Times)