The shooter was dressed in black clothing and was equipped with a tactical vest, multiple rounds of ammunition, and a long gun.
The assailant managed to kill eight individuals and wound seven others before being fatally shot by a nearby police officer.
The incident in Allen was part of a series of mass killings that have been occurring at an alarming rate in the United States.
Details about the victims were not immediately provided, but witnesses mentioned seeing children among the casualties. A police officer and a mall security guard were also reportedly injured.
Maxwell Gum, a 16-year-old employee at a pretzel stand in the mall, described the chaotic scene and how he and others sought refuge in a storage room. One of his coworkers showed bravery by rescuing a 4-year-old girl and reuniting her with her parents.
Video footage captured by a dashboard camera showed the gunman firing indiscriminately at people on the sidewalk.
Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd confirmed that seven individuals, including the shooter, died at the scene. Nine victims were transported to nearby hospitals, but two of them later succumbed to their injuries. Three were in critical condition, and four were reported to be in stable condition.
An Allen Police Department officer, who happened to be nearby on an unrelated call, responded swiftly and ended the threat posed by the shooter.
The gunman was later identified as Mauricio Garcia, aged 38. The police confirmed that he acted alone.
The incident is undoubtedly a tragic event, and it highlights the ongoing issue of mass shootings in the United States
