The federal government is investigating whether the shooter who killed eight people, including children, at a retail mall in Dallas had far-right ties.
The assailant, who was shot and killed at the scene by a police officer, has been identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia.
During the assault, he donned a clothing patch that read “Right Wing Death Squad”
This is a prevalent expression among right-wing extremists and white supremacist organizations.
A law enforcement source told CBS that one line of inquiry is whether he was motivated by these ideals and had ties to like-minded individuals.
Multiple rounds of ammunition were discovered on the assailant, who used an AR-15-style rifle and wore combat gear during the attack.
When the gunman exited his vehicle in a mall parking lot and opened fire on shoppers, witnesses described scenes of pandemonium and terror.
A police officer who was responding to a different call and occurred to be nearby ended the rampage.
In the north Dallas suburbs, six people were pronounced deceased at the scene, and two died later in the hospital.
On Sunday, at least three injured victims remained in critical condition.
A young security officer and an Indian engineer were among the fatalities.
The murder occurs days after a dispute with a neighbor resulted in the deaths of five people elsewhere in Texas. And on Sunday, a train shooting in Dallas resulted in one death and two injuries.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 201 mass shootings in 2018, where four people were injured or murdered.
President Joe Biden called the attack “the most recent act of gun violence to devastate our nation.”
He verified that children were among those killed, stating that “too many families have empty dinner chairs.”
The president urged his political opponents within the Republican party to support stricter gun control regulations.
Gregg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, told Fox News on Sunday that he was focusing on criminals’ gun possession and a growing mental health crisis rather than considering broader prohibitions.
Garcia was reportedly employed as a security guard at the time of the incident and lacked a significant criminal history.
Footage appeared to show the suspect exiting his vehicle in the mall’s parking lot and opening fire on adjacent pedestrians.
The first time a mall employee heard about the assault was when a customer approached her and warned, “You all need to close the doors.”
“I was perplexed. “The next thing we know, we hear gunfire… there are approximately 50 to 60 gunshots,” she said.
“We maintained our composure as best we could, and we attempted to keep our customers calm… we shut the door, and the situation is over.” Nobody can purchase anything. Everyone is hidden in the rear.
Elaine Penicaro, another witness, stated that she was concluding her shopping excursion when she heard “all this popping.”
“Therefore, we essentially all ceased. Then, a split second later, there was a series of pops. And we saw sparks flying as if they were directly before us,” she said. “We just happened upon the Converse establishment. They secured the door with a latch. We all retreated to the rear of the vehicle, where we remained.
Steven Spainhouer described to CBS how he raced to the scene after receiving a call from his son reporting gunfire. He referred to “unfathomable carnage”
He stated that at least three victims could not be spared despite his CPR efforts. “The first girl I approached was crouched in the bushes with her head covered,” he recalled. “Therefore, I felt for a pulse, pulled her head to the side, and discovered that she had no face.”
He assisted a child who was pinned beneath the corpse of his mother.
“He emerged when I rolled the mother over. When I inquired as to his well-being, he responded, “My mom is hurt, my mom is hurt.” To avoid further traumatizing him, I dragged him around the corner and seated him down.”
Mr. Spainhouer said that the child was “covered from head to toe” in blood.
