Gov. Greg Abbott said on Saturday that the fatal mass shooting at Allen Premium Outlets was “an unspeakable tragedy,” per a press release issued by the Office of the Texas Governor.
A 33-year-old man allegedly opened fire at the Metroplex shopping center, killing eight people and wounding seven.
“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas,” Abbott, a Republican, said in the release. “I have been in contact with Mayor [Ken] Fulk and [Texas Department of Public Safety] (DPS) Director [Steven] McCraw as well as other state and local leaders and offered the full support of 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.”
The shooting occurred more than a week after a man in Cleveland in San Jacinto County purportedly gunned down five people – including a 9-year-old boy – at a home next to his after he was told to stop firing his weapon.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) NBC affiliate KXAS reported that Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said six people died at the suburban mall, while two succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
The suspected shooter perished as well, bringing the death toll as of Sunday to nine, the station reported.
Dallas City Wire reported that while the Allen Independent School District (AISD) awaited confirmation as to whether any students or staff members were at the mall at the time of the shooting, officials said counseling will be available to those who are struggling amid the aftermath.
Per Fox News, Abbott said the state is unlikely to pass stricter gun laws in the wake of the Allen tragedy.
Instead, the governor told the conservative media outlet the Texas Legislature is seeking tougher penalties for illegal firearm possession, as well as funding more mental health programs.
“We are working to address that anger and violence by going to its root cause, which is addressing the mental health problems behind it,” Abbott said. “People want a quick solution. The long-term solution here is to address the mental health issue.”