The tragic deaths of Daniela and Sofia Mendoza: School pays tribute to young sisters killed in Allen mall shooting
ALLEN, TEXAS: In the aftermath of the mass shooting at an Allen mall in Texas on Saturday, disturbing information has emerged about the gunman's affiliation with white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies. Mauricio Garcia, 33, who was eventually killed by the police, claimed the lives of eight individuals and injured seven others, including two young sisters on Saturday, May 6.
Among the slain victims were two young sisters, Daniela Mendoza, 10, and Sofia Mendoza, 8, and their mother, Ilda Mendoza, remains in critical condition following the tragic incident. Principal Krista Wilson of the Cheri Cox Elementary School where the girls attended fondly described them as "rays of sunshine" emphasizing the profound impact of their loss on the entire school community.
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Both sisters took cheerleading classes at Wylie Elite gym in Wylie, 13 miles from the mall, and paid tribute to Daniela and Sofia. "Two of the victims who were sisters, and who lost their lives this past weekend, not only took classes at Wylie Elite, but are nieces to one of our team families," the gym posted on Facebook. "Our hearts are broken for these families. They have shared that one of their favorite colors was yellow. To honor these young ladies, we want everyone to wear yellow this week. Also please be praying for all of the families affected."
Addressing the devastating situation, the school district sent a letter to parents and students, expressing the "heartbreak" that has affected one of its elementary campuses. Meanwhile, Medical City Healthcare continues to provide treatment to six patients across three hospitals who were injured in the shooting. Among them, three patients remain in critical condition, two are in fair condition, and one is in good condition.
Law enforcement agencies are meticulously investigating the incident, maintaining close communication with Garcia's parents and acquaintances, in an endeavor to unravel the factors that compelled him to engage in such a devastating rampage. Preceding the attack, Garcia disseminated a sequence of malicious online posts, explicitly targeting diverse groups such as Jews, women, and people of color. Investigators are delving into the possibility of the assailant's affiliation with neo-Nazi entities and ideologies. Notably, during the time of the shooting, Garcia bore a patch on his chest bearing the acronym "RWDS," widely believed to represent "right-wing death squad."