Texas mall shooting leaves several injured, including children with gunman pronounced dead at the scene: authorities

Multiple people, including children, were hurt or killed when a gunman opened fire at a Texas mall Saturday afternoon, “shooting his gun everywhere,” according to authorities and reports. 

The shooter who unleashed chaos at around 3:30 p.m. at the Allen Premium Outlets was dead at the scene, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office told WFAA.

Texas Gov. Greg  Abbott called the shooting an “unspeakable tragedy” in a statement.

“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakable tragedy,” said Abbot. “I have been in contact with Mayor Funk and DPS Director McCraw as well as other state and local leaders and offered the full support and the State of Texas to local officials to ensure all needed assistance and resources are swiftly deployed, including DPS officers, Texas Rangers and investigative resources.”

Aerial footage broadcast on local news stations appeared to show at least four bodies hidden underneath white sheets in an outdoor area of the mall.

“As I was holding the door open and letting customers inside the store… he [the shooter] was just blazing and shooting his gun,” one unidentified witness told CNN, adding the assailant was walking down the sidewalk “shooting his gun everywhere.”

Hundreds could be seen evacuating from the mall in Allen, Tx., which is about 30 minutes outside Dallas. 

Jaynal Pervaz sped to the mall after his daughter, who was inside, called and told him there was an active shooter.“We saw the police outside the door, and they told us we had to go, and that they are still looking for the person,” Pervez told local outlet KTVT. “There’s no more safe places. I don’t know what to do.”

Elaine Penicaro was shopping at the mall with her daughter when gunfire suddenly erupted.”We were outside the Converse store and we just heard all this popping,” she told Fox 4. “We kind of all just stopped, and then a second later, just ‘Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,’ and there were sparks flying like it was right in front of us.”They took cover inside of a store, she said.

The city of Allen issued a public safety alert warning people to stay away from the area while authorities continue to investigate.

Abbott pledged to send “all needed assistance and resources” to the area.

This is a developing story.