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Fox 4 reported that eight people were killed and at least seven others were injured when a gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets located at 820 W Stacy Rd, Allen, TX 75013.
The Allen Police Department said one of its officers responded to the mall for an unrelated call when they heard shots being fired just after 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 2023. The officer “engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat.”
The shooting suspect has been identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia. According to authorities, there were nine people who died, including the shooter. Seven were pronounced dead on scene, while two others died at the hospital. Those injured were taken to hospitals in the area, with eight victims ranging from 5 to 61 years old being treated at Medical City Healthcare.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that the shooter had tactical gear and was “armed with an AR-15 style assault weapon.” He and his wife Jill expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, saying they were praying for them.
One witness, Elaine Penicaro, who was shopping with her daughter at the time, said they heard “all this popping” and then a second later, “Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.” When they heard the shots, she said they ducked inside a store to take cover. Several agencies responded to secure the scene, including the Allen Police Department, Collin County Sheriff's Office, FBI, and ATF.
Attorney contributor Anjali Nigam often provides legal aid to the victims or surviving family members of shooting victims in the state of Texas. Anjali recently discussed when an outlet mall could be held liable for shooting injuries or deaths and how to bring a lawsuit against a business for a shooting.
"As an attorney, I am deeply concerned with the recent shootings in public places. Not only is it a tragedy for the victims and their families, but it is also a reminder of the need for businesses, such as outlet malls, to have appropriate security measures in place to reduce the risk of preventable dangers such as shootings.
Malls have an obligation to the public to ensure their safety and security. They should have proper security measures in place, such as hiring sufficient security guards, installing security cameras, and conducting regular security checks. If these security measures are not in place, and a shooting occurs, the mall may be held liable for any injuries or deaths that occur as a result.
Victims of shootings at malls, and their families, have legal rights as well. Depending on the situation, they may be able to bring a civil lawsuit against the mall for negligence in failing to provide adequate security or for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the shooting from occurring. Such a lawsuit may be able to provide victims and their families with financial compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages they have suffered.
No one should fear for their safety when visiting a mall. This recent shooting is a reminder that malls must do their part to ensure the safety of their patrons. Victims and their families also have legal rights that they can pursue if a shooting occurs due to inadequate security."
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