A truck driver drove through a shopping center in Killeen, Texas, Saturday evening, hitting several people and injuring at least five, authorities said. The suspect was shot dead by law enforcement.
The situation unfolded around 5 p.m. local time when an officer called a suspected drunk driver, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Bryan Washko told reporters during a press briefing Saturday evening. Killeen is located about an hour north of Austin.
A Texas DPS trooper located the vehicle, a black truck, in the town of Belton, located about 20 miles east of Killeen, and a pursuit ensued. The officer followed the suspect off a highway and into the Killeen Mall parking lot. The truck then drove through the glass front doors of a JCPenny and continued inside, striking several people, Washko said.
“The police officer and the Killeen police officer continued on foot after this vehicle, which was driving through the store actively running over people. It traveled several hundred yards,” Washko said.
The suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement, Washko said, revealing that officers from Texas DPS and the Killeen Police Department — along with off-duty officers from three other agencies — “fired to eliminate this threat.
The name of the suspect was not immediately released.
At least five people, ranging in age from 6 to 75, were injured, Washko said. Their conditions have not been confirmed. Four were taken by ambulance to area hospitals and one person was transported themselves.
“Luckily he was arrested at that time, because it could have been a lot worse,” Washko said. “This mall is quite busy this time of year.”
Washko said the vehicle was still inside the mall Saturday evening. He said the area was safe, but urged the public to stay away. He added that initial reports of a possible active shooter were false.
Texas DPS will investigate the incident, the agency said. The Texas Rangers division, part of Texas DPS, will also be involved.
