Gunman kills eight in Texas mall
A gunman has shot and killed eight people shopping at a mall north of Dallas, Texas, emergency services say.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Allen Premium Outlets mall as eyewitnesses described a man firing indiscriminately at passers-by.
A police officer on an unrelated call killed the gunman after hearing shots.
Some of the victims are reported to be children. At least seven people are being treated in hospital, three of whom are critically ill.
Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said seven people – including the gunman – were pronounced dead at the scene and two died later in hospital.
A police officer at the mall “heard gunshots, went to the gunshots, engaged the suspect and neutralised the suspect,” Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey said.
The victims’ ages range from 5 to 51, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Some witnesses described the gunman as dressed all in black and wearing combat gear. Footage taken after the gunman’s death appeared to show an AR-15 style rifle lying near his body.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott described the shooting as an “unspeakable tragedy” and said the state was ready to offer any assistance to local authorities.
US police have asked members of the public with video captured at the scene to contact the FBI, as they collect evidence.
President Joe Biden on Sunday denounced the “senseless acts of violence” and ordered US flags be flown at half-mast at federal buildings, military posts and American embassies until sunset on Thursday.
He also again called on Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
“Too many families have empty chairs at their dinner tables,” said the president. “Tweeted thoughts and prayers are not enough.”
“I heard about 10 pops go off, then ten to fifteen more shots – we see this guy dressed all in black, a vest, just shooting at people,” said one witness, adding “we just got to the back of the store”.
Video from the scene showed people running for cover across a car park as a series of shots rang out.
Allen has about 105,000 residents and is 20 miles (32km) north of central Dallas.
Most adults aged 21 or over in Texas are allowed to carry a handgun without a licence, unless they have a previous conviction. In addition, there are few restrictions on possession of rifles and shotguns. Republicans control the Texas state legislature.
In the US so far this year there have been at least 198 mass shootings in which four or more people were killed or wounded, according to the Gun Violence Archive. That is the most at this point in the year since at least 2016. (BBC)
