(Trends Wide) –– At least four people were shot at the Cielo Vista shopping center in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday night, according to police. One of the victims died, Sergeant Roberto Gómez reported.
“We have one person arrested. We believe that there could be one more of interest. That is why an exhaustive search of the shopping center is being carried out at this time,” said Gómez.
Police did not comment on a possible motive and did not provide details on the conditions of the three victims who were hospitalized.
“It was chaotic. People ran away. They were scared,” Gomez said.
The mall adjoins the Walmart where a 2019 mass shooting killed 23 people and injured nearly two dozen others.
So far in 2023, there have been more than 70 mass shootings in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Both Trends Wide and the organization define a “mass shooting” as a shooting that injures or kills four or more people, not including the shooter.
Police responded to the Cielo Vista shopping center on Wednesday afternoon, after receiving several reports of a possible active attacker, Gomez said. Authorities asked people to avoid the area as the scene was still active.
“Mall scene still active, please avoid area. Multiple agencies responding to area,” police said in an initial tweet.
The scene was later secured, but police were still working to search the mall, Gomez said, noting that it may take some time given the size of the place.
An El Paso Fire Department ambulance and a police vehicle respond to the scene at the Cielo Vista Mall.
Robert Gonzales was at the mall and told Trends Wide that he “saw people running towards the exit.”
The videos that Gonzales recorded show several stores in the shopping center closed with their security doors and the Police stationed outside. The witness who was able to make it safely to his car, where he was waiting to drive off while speaking to Trends Wide
Gonzales mentioned the 2019 mass shooting, saying Wednesday’s experience “just brought back bad memories.
A reunification center has been set up at nearby Burges High School, where people unable to reach loved ones can seek information, Gomez said.
News in development…
Amanda Jackson and Elizabeth Wolfe, both with Trends Wide, contributed to this report.
