Allen Outlets Shooting: FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety to provide an update on the investigation Tuesday afternoon
ALLEN, Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI are planning to speak publicly about the investigation into the shooting that killed 8 people at the Allen Premium Outlets for the first time Tuesday afternoon.
Representatives from the Texas DPS, the FBI and the Allen Police Department will hold a press conference on the shooting at 2:00 p.m. at the Allen City Hall.
Medical City Healthcare says six patients injured in the shooting are still recovering at three local hospitals.
Investigators say 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia fired an AR-15-style weapon into the crowd in the outdoor mall on Saturday. He was shot and killed by a police officer who was in the area on an unrelated call.
Law enforcement agencies have not released a motive for the shooting, but sources say they are investigating whether Garcia had an interest in white supremacist ideology. The Associated Press says social media accounts suggest he planned the attack on Allen Premium Outlets weeks in advance and researched when the mall would be busiest.
The alleged account was also there online photos showing Nazi tattoos on his body and describing the mass shootings as a sport.
Garcia 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 among right-wing extremists and white supremacist groups, the AP reported.
FOX 4 has learned that Garcia enlisted in the military after graduating from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas. He was discharged from the Army in 2008 due to mental health issues.
FOX 4 also learned that Garcia had worked as a security guard, who according to Texas Online Private Security records had gun training.
A growing memorial outside the Allen Premium Outlets honors the victims of the shooting: 3-year-old James Cho, 37-year-old Kyu Song Cho, 35-year-old Cindy Cho, 32-year-old Elio Cumana-Rivas, 20-year-old Christian LaCour, Daniela Mendoza aged 11, Sofia Mendoza aged 8 and Aishwarya Thatikonda aged 26.
The Texas DPS is conducting an investigation into the shooting.
Tuesday’s update is likely the first time officials have answered questions about the shooting. Allen’s previous updates from police, firefighters and other leaders did not give reporters a chance to ask questions.
You will be able to stream the press conference live on this page.
