EL PASO, Texas — Multiple people were killed and others seriously injured after a shooting at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas. One suspect is in custody and the public was no longer in danger, police said.
UPDATE 11 p.m. EDT: Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says three Mexicans have been killed in the shooting in the border city of El Paso, Texas.
He tweeted Saturday that he sends "condolences to the families of the victims, both American and Mexican."
UPDATE 9 p.m. EDT: El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen says authorities are investigating a hate crime as among the possible motives in the shooting.
The chief says authorities are looking into an online writing that indicated a potential connection to a hate crime to determine if it belonged to the suspected gunman.
UPDATE 7:35 p.m. EDT: Texas governor Greg Abbot said in a press conference that at least 20 are dead and 26 others wounded in a shooting at an El Paso shopping center.
UPDATE 6:10 p.m. EDT: Law enforcement officials said that at least 15 people have died following the shooting in El Paso.
UPDATE 5:45 p.m. EDT: A police official said he believes most of the El Paso attack victims were shot at a Walmart near the Cielo Vista Mall.
Sgt. Robert Gomez said at a news conference about five hours after the first reports of a shooting near the mall that investigators believe a white man in his 20s was the only gunman involved and that he was taken into custody.
Gomez didn’t name the suspected gunman or say how many people were killed and wounded in the attack, though he said at least one person is dead. He also wouldn’t speculate as to the motive for the attack.
He said the gunman used some type of rifle.
UPDATE 4:45 p.m. EDT: A University Medical Center of El Paso official said one of 12 people who were rushed to the hospital after the attack on a shopping complex has died.
Ryan Mielke, a hospital spokesman, said all the victims suffered traumatic injuries in Saturday's attack at or near the Cielo Vista Mall. He declined to provide additional details about the victims, including the one who died.
Mielke says two children, ages 2 and 9, were stabilized at the medical center before being transferred to the neighboring El Paso Children’s Hospital.
UPDATE 4:15 p.m. EDT: White House staff said President Trump was briefed on the shooting and spoke about it with Attorney General Barr and Governor Abbott.
Terrible shootings in ElPaso, Texas. Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement. Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2019
UPDATE 3:50 p.m. EDT: El Paso police said they have one person in custody and have ruled out multiple shooters.
Police have said there are "multiple fatalities" but haven't confirmed how many. CNN reported that at least 11 people were taken to Del Sol Medical Center, and 11 more were taken to University Medical Center of El Paso.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, have responded to the area and are assisting in the investigation.
Walmart tweeted a statement on the shooting:
We're in shock over the tragic events at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, where store 2201 & club 6502 are located. We’re praying for the victims, the community & our associates, as well as the first responders. We’re working closely with law enforcement & will update as appropriate.
— Walmart (@Walmart) August 3, 2019
UPDATE 3 p.m. EDT: One suspect is in custody and multiple people are confirmed to be dead, El Paso police said in a press conference. Police did not specify the number of fatalities.
The shooting is over and the scene is contained, police said. Police are searching multiple scenes, including the Walmart and Cielo Vista Mall.
At the scene of shooting w multiple fatalities at the Walmart Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas. Follow https://t.co/vIITlQXpBQ for updates. pic.twitter.com/mWrmObtC1R
— Julian R (@JulianDFW) August 3, 2019
UPDATE 2:20 p.m. EDT: Police said the scene is "still active" more than one hour after initially alerting the public of the shooting, and that they have received multiple reports of multiple shooters.
Details are limited at this time.
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
UPDATE 2 p.m. EDT: Eighteen people were shot at the Walmart, KTSM-TV reported.
The conditions of those shot are unknown.
BREAKING: Our crew can confirm 18 people were shot or injured at the Walmart at Cielo Vista. We are working to get on air as we speak. https://t.co/wfXkVyoLs8
— KTSM 9 News (@KTSMtv) August 3, 2019
Original report: Police are responding to an active shooter at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, police and media outlets said Saturday afternoon.
El Paso police tweeted shortly after noon that there is an active shooter in the Cielo Vista Mall area.
Active Shooting Stay away from Cielo Vista Mall Area. Scene is Still Active.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
There are "multiple victims," Vice News correspondent Evan McMorris-Santoro tweeted.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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