(Trends Wide) —A family of four was reduced to one survivor after the parents and brother of a 6-year-old boy were shot to death in a mass shooting at an Allen, Texas shopping center on Saturday, according to a GoFundMe post from the family friends.
The South Korean Consulate office in Houston confirmed Monday that three Korean Americans — Cho Kyu Song, 37; his wife, Kang Shin Young, 35, and one of his children — were killed in the shooting, according to the newspaper Dallas Morning News. The name and age of the child victim were not released.
“3-year-old Cindy, Kyu and James are among the victims who tragically lost their lives and the family is in deep mourning,” read the GoFundMe post that friends and family wrote, referring to the victims by their American names. “After being released from the ICU, his 6-year-old son, William, is the only surviving member of this horrific event.
At least seven other people were injured before the shooter was killed by an Allen police officer, who was already at the mall and was contacted by an unrelated call, police said.
It is one of more than 200 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which, like Trends Wide, defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot. , not including the attacker. People who go about their daily lives in schools, parks, grocery stores and medical buildings in communities large and small must now deal with the trauma and grief that lingers when the shooting stops.
Here’s what we know so far about those killed in the Texas shooting.
the cho family
Cho Kyu Song, 37, and Kang Shin Young, 35, pose for this undated photo.
The Cho family visited the mall in Allen, during a day that should have been “filled with light, love and celebration” but ended in tragedy, according to the GoFundMe campaign.
William, who had just celebrated his birthday, lost his mother, father and younger brother in the shooting, according to the publication.
Daniela and Sofia Mendoza
Sisters Daniela and Sofia Mendoza were elementary school students in the Wylie Independent School District, according to a letter the district sent to parents.
Daniela was in fourth grade and her sister was in second grade, according to the letter. Her mother, Ilda Mendoza, is in the hospital in critical condition.
“Words cannot express the sadness we feel as we mourn the loss of our students,” the message stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mendoza family, the families of the victims, and all those affected by this senseless tragedy.”
Cox Elementary School Principal Krista Wilson described the sisters as “beams of sunshine” in the letter.
“We will not forget Daniela and Sofía,” the letter said. “Hug your children and tell them you love them.”
The school district reported that it will not announce the news to students, as it will let parents have that conversation with their children. Counseling services are offered for students, staff and families, the letter said.
“Please keep the Mendoza family close to your heart. We know that in times of tragedy, our community comes together and we will do everything we can to support the family and friends of the precious students we lost.
Christian LaCour
Christian LaCour was a well-liked security guard at retail outlets.
“Christian was a sweet and loving young man who was very dear to our family,” his sister Brianna Smith told Trends Wide.
The 20-year-old was “the kind of guy who would just walk into the store and everyone in the room would light up because he was there,” said Max Weiss, a store clerk at the mall.
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“Every time he was in the store, she felt more secure,” Weiss added. “He brought laughter and joy and he always knew what to say.”
Aishwarya Thatikonda
Aishwarya Thatikonda was killed in the shooting while visiting the mall with a friend, Trends Wide affiliate WFAA reported.
Thatikonda was just days away from turning 28, Ashok Kolla, a spokesman for the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), told Trends Wide. The organization helps the Telugu community in America.
Family and friends described Thatikonda as a loving and hardworking person who was respected by her coworkers, Kolla said.
Thatikonda worked as an engineer, a family representative told WFAA.
He moved to the United States about five years ago to study for a master’s degree, Kolla said.
Thatikonda lived in McKinney, but her family is mourning her loss from their home in India.
The family plans to send his body to India, Kolla said.
Trends Wide has contacted the Indian Consulate General in Houston for more information.
Elio Cumana-Rivas
In a statement issued Monday, the Texas Department of Public Safety also identified Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32, as another victim of the massacre.
Jillian Sykes, Keith Allen, Jason Kravarik, Caroll Alvarado, Sara Smart, Michelle Watson and Justin Lear, all for Trends Wide, contributed to this report.
