A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened by way of the doorways of a JCPenney retailer in Texas and continued by way of a busy mall, injuring 5 individuals earlier than he was fatally shot by officers, authorities mentioned.
The truck crashed into the division retailer in Killeen, about 68 miles (109 kilometers) north of the state capital Austin, round 5:30 p.m. Saturday and continued into the constructing, placing individuals because it went, Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Division of Public Security mentioned in a night information briefing.
Emergency medical companies transported 4 victims from the mall to space hospitals and one other traveled to a hospital individually. They ranged in age from 6 to 75 years outdated and their circumstances weren’t instantly recognized, he mentioned.
The chase started round 5 p.m. on Interstate 14 in Belton, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from Killeen, after authorities obtained calls about an erratic driver in a black pickup, Ofelia Miramontez of the Killeen Police Division mentioned.
This picture offered by KXXV exhibits police responding to a JCPenney at a shopping center on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Killeen, Texas.
KXXV through AP
The driving force then pulled off the street and drove into the car parking zone of the mall.
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“The suspect drove by way of the doorways and continued to drive by way of the JCPenney retailer, placing a number of individuals,” Washko mentioned. “The trooper and the Killeen police officer continued on foot after this car, which was driving by way of the shop, actively operating individuals over. He traveled a number of hundred yards.”
Officers from the state public security division, Killeen and three different legislation enforcement companies “engaged in gunfire to get rid of this risk,” Washko mentioned.
One of many officers who traded gunfire with the suspect was working as a safety guard on the mall and others had been off obligation, he mentioned.
Washko didn’t have details about the suspect’s identification on the time of the briefing.
Witnesses interviewed by native information shops exterior the mall mentioned they heard a number of gunshots and noticed individuals fleeing by way of the mall.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
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