A driver fleeing police crashed his truck into a Texas mall, plowing through shoppers at a JC Penny before being gunned down by several cops — including a mall security guard and some armed off-duty officers.
The suspect hit four people at about 5:40 p.m. Saturday who were transported to local hospitals at about 5:40 p.m. Saturday at the Killeen Mall, about 80 miles north of Austin, according to the Killeen Police Department.
Cops say the trouble began when they received calls of a black truck driving erratically near the town of Belton. When their officers encountered the driver, he evaded police and led them on a chase that ended at the mall.
A driver fleeing police crashed into the Killeen Mall in Texas, as multiple injuries have been reported. Google Maps
Emergency vehicles arrived at the scene at approximately 5:40 p.m. Saturday. Google MapsShocking video taken from the parking lot and posted to X by local media shows the apparent aftermath of the crash, with Christmas shoppers screaming and running for their lives as the poilce gunfire rang out.
“Oh my God they shot him, they shot him,” the videographer says in stunned disbelief.
Killeen Police confirmed in a press conference that the suspect was shot and killed at the scene.
“Officers from DPS, the Killeen police department and three other agencies that engaged in gunfire to eliminate this threat,” a spokesperson for the Killeen Police Department said at a press conference.
Two of those officers from the other agencies were described as local officers who were off-duty and shopping with their families at the Killeen Mall. Another was a mall security officer, according to cops.
“The area is secure at this time,” Killeen police posted to their Facebook page.
Police said on Facebook that the incident is now under control. Smellavision TV/X“We ask that you avoid the area as first responders conduct their investigation.”
The large amount of law enforcement gunfire cause people to fear there was an active shooter, but police quickly dispelled that rumor.
“There is no active shooter at the Killeen Mall. DPS, KFD and KPD are currently on scene investigating this incident. The area is secure and we urge citizens to stay away from the Killeen Mall at this time,” the cops said on Facebook.
The Killeen Police Department said an investigation is ongoing and did not provide any further details on the suspect.
