A gunman killed eight and injured seven during a shopping spree in Texas. The crime took place on Saturday in Allen, a Dallas suburb. A police officer on the scene at the time shot the alleged perpetrator before more casualties could have occurred, local authorities said at a news conference on Saturday evening (local time). Three injured are in critical condition.
According to the police, a police officer who was busy with something else at the time heard shots in the shopping complex on Saturday afternoon. The officer immediately intervened, caught the gunman and “turned him out”. Allen police chief Brian Harvey said he acted alone. The background to the crime was initially unclear.
Two victims died in hospital
Local fire chief Jonathan Boyd said rescuers initially found seven dead, including the gunman, when they arrived at the scene. Nine people were taken to hospital, two of whom died of their injuries. The remaining seven would still be treated. The authorities initially gave no further information about the dead and injured, nor about the perpetrator.
Governor described act as “unspeakable tragedy”
TV images showed people being led out of the large shopping complex. Eyewitnesses told CNN they heard dozens of shots and saw a black-clad man firing. Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote in a statement that he described the incident as an “unspeakable tragedy.” The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden was made aware of the incident. The government headquarters is in contact with law enforcement and local authorities to provide support.
Firearms readily available in the US
The US has long faced mass gun violence. Rampages and deadly gunfights are part of everyday life. Such larger attacks – for example in schools, supermarkets, churches, nightclubs or at major public events – regularly lead to discussions about tightening gun laws. So far without any success. Firearms are readily available and widely distributed in the United States.
Biden has repeatedly called for stricter gun laws and has tightened certain rules slightly during his tenure. However, without substantial legislative changes, experts see no chance of real change. To push this through, however, Biden and his Democrats would have to rely on the willingness of Republicans in Congress to cooperate — and there is no sign of that in this area.
A few days ago, there was also a sensational case of brutal gun violence in Texas: a 38-year-old shot and killed five neighbors, including a child, in a small town near Houston. The neighbors had previously asked him to stop darting around his front yard so their baby could sleep. A little later, instead of calming down, the drunk man approached him with a gun and committed the massacre.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
