Identified the suspect who shot up the Allen Premium Outlets. Here’s what we know.
ALLEN, Texas – The suspect in the Allen Premium Outlets shooting has been identified as Mauricio Garcia, 33.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed his name Sunday afternoon.
Officials say Garcia shot and killed 8 people and wounded 7 others before he was killed by a police officer who was responding to a different call nearby.
“It still sends a shiver down your spine knowing that the person who would commit a horrible crime like this lives 5 houses away,” said Moises Carreon, who lived near Garcia’s listed Dallas address.
Neighbors say FBI agents and Dallas police raided the home where Garcia was staying with his parents Saturday night.
“They came out with several boxes. 5 to 6 boxes is all I know,” Carreon said.
Neighbor says Garcia drove a silver sedan and parked it in front of the house.
On Saturday, SKY 4 captured images at the Allen Premium Outlets of law enforcement officials searching the suspect’s gray vehicle and removing what appeared to be shotgun cases.
Another neighbor said they have never had a problem with who lives in the house.
Garcia was reportedly staying at a Dallas-area motel that was also raided.
Investigators did not provide any information on a possible motive on Sunday.
Investigation into the ideology of white supremacy
Federal officials are examining whether Garcia has expressed an interest in white supremacist ideology as they work to try to discern a motive for the attack, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official warned that the investigation is in its early stages.
Federal agents have reviewed social media accounts they believe Garcia used and posts that expressed interest in white supremacist and neo-Nazi views, said the official, who could not publicly discuss the details of the investigation and spoke with l ‘AP on condition of anonymity.
Garcia also had a patch on his chest when he was killed by police that read “RWDS,” an acronym for the phrase “Right Wing Death Squad,” which is popular with right-wing extremist and white supremacist groups, the official said.
In addition to reviewing social media posts, federal agents interviewed Garcia’s family members and associates to ask about his ideological beliefs, the official said. Investigators are also reviewing financial records, other online posts they believe Garcia made, and other electronic media, according to the official.
The official said police also found several weapons at the scene after Garcia was killed, including an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun.
A vigil was held Sunday evening at Cottonwood Baptist Church in Allen to remember the victims and help the community heal.
The mother of 20-year-old Christian LaCour said he was one of eight victims killed. She said he worked there as a security guard and grew up in nearby Farmersville.
Witnesses reported seeing children among the victims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
