Local media outlets in El Paso, Texas are reporting that more than a dozen people were shot near Walmart on Saturday morning.
The police department described the situation as an “active shooting.”
“Active Shooting Stay away from Cielo Vista Mall Area. Scene is Still Active,” the El Paso Police Department tweeted in the early afternoon.
Active Shooting Stay away from Cielo Vista Mall Area. Scene is Still Active.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
SWAT teams, the FBI, local police, and the ATF have all reportedly responded to the scene. At least three local businesses in the surrounding area were put into lockdown.
The police department sent out an update at around two in the afternoon saying that they are currently searching a large area and they have reports of “multiple shooters.”
“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,” they announced.
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
As the situation is still active, there have not been more comprehensive reports given to the public.
One witness told CBS News that he was about the enter the Walmart in question when he heard at least 10 gun shots and saw an elderly woman fall to the ground. He said he also saw at least two men carrying guns.
Others have taken to social media to give reports of what they know.
“There was a shooting in the El Paso Walmart and my man and his family was there but so many people got shot. Please keep them in your prayers!! I’m so shaken up,” one Twitter user wrote.
https://twitter.com/jaquelynavy/status/1157698653907296261
15+ shots, And I swear I saw an older lady drop to the floor🤢😢. Check on your family
— R . M ♎️ (@GeeRayAllDay_1) August 3, 2019
My sister said the cashiers at Walmart got shot. Hopefully everyone is okay. Be safe https://t.co/78YBE1AL1g
— Carlos (@CarAmaya11) August 3, 2019
Rep. Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, took to Twitter to say she is “heartbroken” about the news of the shooting.
“Utterly heartbroken by the developing news in El Paso. Monitoring the situation and in communication with our law enforcement. Please stay safe,” she wrote.
Utterly heartbroken by the developing news in El Paso. Monitoring the situation and in communication with our law enforcement. Please stay safe.
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 3, 2019
Beto O’Rourke, who is a former Texas congressman, has also taken to Twitter to comment on the ongoing situation. O’Rourke was born in El Paso.
“Truly heartbreaking. Stay safe, El Paso. Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates,” he wrote.
Truly heartbreaking. Stay safe, El Paso. Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates. https://t.co/BU0AH6Y8Rv
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 3, 2019
Video from outside the Walmart posted at around two in the afternoon showed fire and medical first responders waiting while police were reportedly still inside the store.
https://twitter.com/LambieMark/status/1157709976317517824
https://twitter.com/LambieMark/status/1157708115996901378
https://twitter.com/emilnivantha/status/1157714508934074368
The three businesses that were reportedly on lockdown are Hooters, Red Lobster and a Landry’s Seafood House. Landry’s reportedly reopened its doors when people were fleeing from Walmart.
Restaurant manager Oscar Collazo told CNN, “We never thought it would be so close to us this time. You see on the news all the time, but you don’t think it could happen here until it does.”
The mall complex where the shooting took place is near Interstate 10 and on El Paso’s east side. It is about two miles south of the El Paso International Airport.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has told Fox News in an update that between 15 and 20 people have been shot, and a 21-year-old man is in custody.
El Paso police have also announced that they are currently attempting to reunite families.
Please stay clear of the surrounding area of Cielo Vista Mall. Reunification center for families at McCarthur Middle School on Whittus.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
This story has been updated.
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Zachary Leeman is originally from Maine, he served in the United States Army Reserve for six years. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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