By Nicole Lopez
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
ALLEN, Texas — Police officers from multiple agencies have responded to a shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets mall on Saturday afternoon, which the ATF called an active shooter incident.
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office told WFAA-TV that there are multiple victims, including children. The sheriff said that a shooter is dead at the scene, WFAA reported. It has not been confirmed how many shooters were involved.
U.S. Rep. Keith Self said in a statement on Twitter that, “A shooter is down and there are multiple casualties.”
Video from a TV news helicopter broadcast by KDFW-TV showed what appeared to be four white tarps outside the H&M store and blood on the concrete nearby. A witness who arrived about the same time as police also told the Star-Telegram that he saw what appeared to be bodies near H&M.
Multiple ambulances were called to the scene at 820 W. Stacy Road but police have not released details about the extent or number of injuries.
At least 10 shots were heard and people were seen running in the parking lot of the mall in video posted on social media by an account called Dallas Texas TV about 3:50 p.m.
Police were working to access people hiding inside the stores and escort them out, according to scanner traffic.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives office in Dallas called the situation an active shooter incident. In a tweet at 4:30 p.m., the agency said, “ATF personnel are responding to the active shooter incident at Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, TX. Allen Police Department is the point of contact and will release more information as it becomes available.”
Allen police said in a tweet about 4:20 that, “Law enforcement is on the scene at Allen Premium Outlets. An active investigation is underway. Please avoid the area until further update.”
“We were outside the Converse store and we just heard all this popping,” one witness, Elaine Penicaro, who was shopping with her daughter, told KDFW-TV. “We kind of all just stopped, and then a second later, just ‘Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,’ and there were sparks flying like it was right in front of us.”
TV station’s video showed hundreds of people leaving the mall about 5 p.m.
“We are devastated by the tragic news of the shootings that took place at the Allen Premium Outlets today,” Rep. Self wrote on Twitter. “Our prayers are with the victims and their families and all law enforcement on the scene.
“This is an ongoing situation, but Allen PD has full control of the scene,” Self said. “A shooter is down and there are multiple casualties. They are continuing to work to ensure the scene is safe. The public is being asked to stay away from that area while this investigation continues.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott offered the full support of the state to local officials.
“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakable tragedy,” he said in a statement. “I have been in contact with Mayor (Ken) Fulk and DPS Director (Steven) McCraw as well as other state and local leaders and offered the full support of the State of Texas to local officials to ensure all needed assistance and resources are swiftly deployed, including DPS officers, Texas Rangers, and investigative resources.”
The outlet mall is about 30 miles north of Dallas and is owned by Simon Property Group.
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