A male truck driver drove through a mall in Killeen, Texas, on Saturday night, striking several people and injuring at least five others, authorities said. The suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement.
The situation unfolded around 5 p.m. local time when an officer called Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Brian Washko told reporters at a briefing Saturday evening. Killeen is located about an hour north of Austin.
A Texas DPS trooper found the vehicle, a black truck, in the town of Belton, located about 20 miles east of Killeen, and pursued it. The trooper pursued the suspect off the highway into the Killeen Mall parking lot. Washko said the truck then went through the glass front doors of JCPenney and struck several people.
“The troopers and Killeen police officers continued to follow this vehicle on foot, which was actively passing through the store, hitting people inside. It covered a distance of several hundred yards,” Washko said.
Washco said the suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement, revealing that officers from Texas DPS and the Killeen Police Department — along with off-duty officers from three other agencies — “were responding to this threat.” Were engaged in firing.”
The suspect's name was not immediately released.
At least five people ranging in age from 6 to 75 were injured, Washko said. Their terms were not confirmed. Four were taken by ambulance to area hospitals, and one person was transported on his own.
“Thankfully he was stopped when he was, because it could have been much worse,” Washko said. “This mall is very busy this time of year.”
Washko said the vehicle was still inside the mall as of Saturday night. He said the area was safe, but urged the public to stay away. He said initial reports of a possible active shooter were false.
Texas DPS will lead the investigation into the incident, the agency said. The Texas Rangers Division, which is part of Texas DPS, will also be involved.