Several people died this Saturday and a still undetermined number were injured after a
shooting in a shopping center in the city of Allen, Texas
, in the southern United States.
The sheriff's office reported the event through social networks, details of which are still unknown, while the local press published images of hundreds of people leaving the shopping center, which was evacuated.
According to the BNO
news portal
, aerial images taken by a press helicopter show the bodies of at least four people, lying on the ground.
Allen police reported that an active investigation is underway and asked citizens to avoid approaching the area surrounding the establishment, called Allen Premium Outlets.
It did not report, however, if the author of the attack was killed, detained, or if he is still active.
The United States has experienced at least 198 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines mass shootings as those in which four or more people are killed, not including the perpetrator of the attack.
Greg Abbott, governor of the southern state, issued a statement in which he said: "Our hearts go out to the people of Allen."
“I am in contact with local authorities and offered them the full support of the entire state of Texas,” he added.
For his part, the Republican congressman for Texas, Keith Self, stated on his social networks: “We are devastated by the tragic news of the shootings that took place today at Allen Premium Outlets.
Our prayers are with the victims and their families and all law enforcement on the scene."
He added: “This is an ongoing situation, but Allen PD has full control of the scene.
A shooter is down and there are multiple casualties.
They continue to work to ensure the scene is safe.
The public is asked to stay away from that area while this investigation continues."
Witnesses cited by CNN say they have seen unclear images of the scene, as the authorities asked them to leave immediately.
News in development
DB
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