El Paso shooting: Man in custody after 1 dead and 3 injured in gunfire at Cielo Vista Mall food court
EL PASO, TEXAS: A sudden gunfire erupted at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, which has claimed the life of an individual and left four others severely injured. Not much is known about the incident as of now. According to local officials and witnesses, the shooting took place just after 5 pm on Wednesday, February 15, in the food court at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso. The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately known.
Two of the victims who are reportedly in critical condition were rushed to University Medical Center. A man was detained near the mall but it is unknown if the man is the shooter. The mall is now on lockdown while the police officers search the stores. Many customers and employees have also taken shelter there.
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Authorities gave a statement
“Police are responding to shots fired in the food court of Cielo Vista Mall, scene still active. Avoid the area,” the El Paso Police Department said in a statement according to BNO News. The police said that the scene was still active in an update at 5.50 pm.
“We have one person in custody. We do believe there could be one outstanding. That’s why the extensive search of the mall is being done right now,” Sgt. Robert Gomez said according to CNN. “It was chaotic. People did flee. They were scared." “Mall scene is still active please avoid the area. Multiple agencies responding to the area,” EPPD said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon.
Mall scene is still active please avoid the area. Multiple agencies responding to the area.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) February 16, 2023
A similar incident occurred in 2019 at a Walmart store just next to the Cielo Vista Mall. A white opened fire in August 2019, fatally shooting 25 people in what was considered to be one of the worst mass shootings in US history. The killer pled guilty to federal charges earlier this month.
BREAKING SHOOTING: Active shooter reported at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas. Multiple people injured. One person dead. pic.twitter.com/QoeOjuPeLr
— That Guy Shane (@ProfanityNewz) February 16, 2023
'Another gun free zone?'
Twitter users were also quick to react to the horrifying incident. One user tweeted, "this is literally one exit from my house crazy" while another wrote, "This is how malls are dying in America." ONe user wrote, "Another gun free zone?". "What is going on" wrote one while one user opined, "Someone caught their girl with another guy and he snapped, not a active shooter sounds like a crime of passion on the scanner."
Someone caught their girl with another guy and he snapped, not a active shooter sounds like a crime of passion on the scanner
— Keith Frank (@KeithFrank31) February 16, 2023
This is how malls are dying in America.
— ˈBæʤərklɒps - 🌙👩🏿😈🦖 SPOILERS 🐀 (@BadgercIops) February 16, 2023
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