One person has been killed and three others injured after a shooting at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas. According to the El Paso Police Department, the incident occurred at around 5:10 p.m. on Wednesday, with reports of shots fired in the food court area.
The police confirmed that one person is in custody and another person could be outstanding. However, details about the individual in custody have not been disclosed. All victims were shot, and the police have not yet determined a motive for the shooting or whether the victims were targeted.
The mall remains an active crime scene, and officials are urging anyone seeking to be reunited with loved ones who were at the mall to go to the Family Reception Center at Burges High School’s main gym.
This is not the first time that El Paso has experienced such a tragedy. In 2019, a gunman killed 23 people in a Walmart in the same area. Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has offered his condolences, promising the full support of the State of Texas, including assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Democratic U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, has criticized Abbott’s response, urging him to implement gun violence prevention legislation. “You promised you would take action after the August 3rd shooting and you’ve done nothing but loosen gun laws. The legislature is in session. Be a man of your word for once and do something!” Escobar said.