UPDATE, 7:24 p.m. ET:
National news outlets are now honing in on the numbers in this tragedy; in the last hour, the Washington Post broke news that at least 19 people were dead and 40 more were injured. Minutes later, the New York Times published their own report citing local law enforcement sources claiming at least 18 people had been killed.
Scores of politicians, public figures, celebs, and others have now weighed in on today’s tragic events. Dallas area TV journalists are also tweeting reports of growing law enforcement presence “outside of a home in Allen [Texas, a Dallas suburb] that is linked to the alleged shooter in El Paso.”
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UPDATE, 6:36 p.m. ET:
According to a police department spokesman who just held a press conference with reporters near the scene, the shooter is now being described as a “white male in his 20s.” He could not comment on motive or anything else related to the shooting, but he did also confirm that the suspect is “in custody,” and was detained after the shooting by police officers “without incident.”
We still don’t know the exact number of people injured and killed in the shooting.
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UPDATE, 4:45 p.m. ET:
Hospitals in El Paso are beginning to confirm the arrival of victims apparently involved with the shooting incident here. Per KFox14 in El Paso, nine victims in critical condition have arrived at one hospital in the city. Thirteen other victims — including several people who have reportedly since died — have been taken to another hospital. At least two children, both reportedly in stable condition, have been taken to the city’s children’s hospital, as well.
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At least ten people are dead with many more reportedly wounded after a mass shooting at a mall and a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas.
On Saturday morning, during live TV reports on KFox14 in El Paso, law enforcement sources reported the shooting was being termed as “gang-related terrorism,” though it’s unclear whether that is actually the case, and a police spokesperson has since tried to walk back that characterization pending further investigation. At least one person — reportedly a man — is already in custody, though there’s not much else known about him at this point.
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A police department spokesperson in the city went live on TV on Saturday afternoon to discuss the shooting, and confirmed to reporters that there was just one shooter involved. The spokesperson was not able to confirm the number of injuries or casualties at the time, though he did confirm there are both deaths and people wounded.
According to reports flying around on social media on Saturday afternoon, at least ten people have been reported dead with up to 30+ more have been injured, though obviously, those numbers may change greatly as time goes on and law enforcement continues to secure the scene. According to KTSM, “more than ten, but fewer than 18” people have been killed, with at least 27 more people injured.
Things all started several hours ago in El Paso, when the police department tweeted about the incident — and updated things throughout the day (below):
Active Shooter in area of Hawkins and Gateway East. Scene is still active avoid the area. RG limited information.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
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 Avoid the area from Airway to Hawkins North of I-10. Active Shooter.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
Gateway West @ Hawkins, Police Activity, Right Lane At Cielo Vista Mall Closed, Minor Backup, Clearing Time Until Further Notice.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
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
Wow… so scary…
Even scarier, KTSM in El Paso confirmed that leaked security clip pictures allegedly showed the gunman entering the Walmart this morning (below):
https://twitter.com/KTSMtv/status/1157738574676201478
Wow… there are no words. It’s just horrifying. Ugh…
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News outlets quickly began to gather information about the incident, though obviously things are still VERY fluid there and it’s likely some information will change as the investigation continues (below):
"If you have loved ones that are unaccounted for, that were at the mall… there is a reunification center set up at Macarthur Middle School," says a police officer in El Paso, Texas, after a shooting https://t.co/rHF1kGYHWP pic.twitter.com/aGyCIWljq1
— CNN (@CNN) August 3, 2019
Texas politicians were quick to offer up their condolences around the situation, as well.
Governor Greg Abbott tweeted that he was on the way to El Paso to take part in the aftermath and help with the investigation (below):
Statement on shooting in El Paso: pic.twitter.com/hsCXYGNLGg
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) August 3, 2019
Opening up resources for the city if obviously very, very nice. It’d be nice if Abbott could somehow improve gun laws in the state of Texas, too, but we digress…
Along with Abbott, former Texas Congressman and popular politician Beto O’Rourke — who has been running for President on the campaign trail across the country — is returning to his hometown of El Paso to deliver aid to the community however he may be able to do so (below):
“This community is going to come together”: Beto O’Rourke responds to El Paso shooting https://t.co/4YDb7WiopY pic.twitter.com/3B5Am4z4wC
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 3, 2019
. @BetoORourke chokes back tears, cutting campaign trip short and heading back to El Paso after shooting. Full statement …. pic.twitter.com/PQg8KSf93R
— David Siders (@davidsiders) August 3, 2019
This whole thing is just awful.
We’ll keep updating this story as we get more information, of course; surely, things will likely change as more information becomes available and police continue their investigation further into the incident.
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We send all our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those suffering today, their loved ones, and everyone else involved with this terrible, terrible shooting. This is just awful… ugh.
R.I.P. to all the victims in El Paso today.
[Image via WENN]
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