Between 15 and 20 people were shot at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas Saturday morning, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News.
Patrick added that a 21-year-old man had been taken into custody. Police had previously said they had received numerous reports of “multiple shooters.”
The lieutenant governor did not say how many of the injuries were fatal.
Police responded to reports of an active shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall area shortly before 11 a.m. and asked people to stay clear of the active scene. An El Paso police spokesman told reporters shortly before 1 p.m. that there was no longer an “imminent threat” to the area.
A spokesperson at Del Sol Medical Center told reporters that the hospital had received six victims in an unknown condition. They did not say if any more victims would be coming to the facility.
A witness told reporters that his mother died at the scene.
Local media reported that multiple SWAT teams, FBI and ATF were on the scene. At least three local businesses in the area were on lockdown. The mall complex is near Interstate 10 and on El Paso’s east side.
Vanessa Saenz, a witness, told reporters that she heard several “pops” near the area and saw a man in a black shirt and cargo pants with a weapon shooting outside the building before entering the Walmart.
Active Shooting Stay away from Cielo Vista Mall Area. Scene is Still Active.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
Scene is still Active. We have multi reports of multiple shooters. Please avoid area police conducting search of a very large area. Media staging will be given when area is secure.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
“He was just pointing at people and just shooting,” she added.
A witness told CBS News that he was about to enter the Walmart when he heard at least 10 gunshots and saw an elderly lady, fall to the ground. He said he was not sure if she was shot.
Fire medical with at Walmart active shooter event at Cielo Vista Mall. Police still inside. pic.twitter.com/P6zsjwVN0n
— mark lambie (@LambieMark) August 3, 2019
Videos showed some injured people being brought to a nearby Sam’s Club.
Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar tweeted that she is “utterly heartbroken” by the news of the shooting in El Paso and said she is monitoring the situation.
“Please stay safe,” she added.
Utterly heartbroken by the developing news in El Paso. Monitoring the situation and in communication with our law enforcement. Please stay safe.
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 3, 2019
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who used to represent El Paso in the House of Representatives, said the shooting was “truly heartbreaking.”
“Stay safe, El Paso. Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates,” he tweeted.
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who used to represent El Paso in the House of Representatives, said the shooting was “truly heartbreaking.” “Stay safe, El Paso. Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates,” he tweeted.
