A truck driver drove through a shopping center in Killeen, Texas, on Saturday night, hitting several people and injuring at least five, authorities said. The suspect was shot and killed 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 at a briefing Saturday evening. Killeen is about an hour north of Austin.
A Texas DPS trooper located the vehicle, a black truck, in the town of Belton, which is about 20 miles east of Killeen, and a pursuit ensued. The trooper followed the suspect off a road and into the Killeen Mall parking lot. The truck then drove through the front glass doors of a JCPenny and continued inside, striking several people, Washko said.
“The trooper and the Killeen police officer continued on foot after this vehicle, which was driving around the store actively hitting people. It traveled several hundred yards,” Washko said.
The suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement, Washko said, revealing that Texas DPS officers and the Killeen Police Department, along with off-duty officers from three other agencies, ” engaged in firing to eliminate this threat.”
The name of the suspect was not immediately released.
At least five people, ages 6 to 75, were injured, Washko said. His conditions were not confirmed. Four people were taken by ambulance to area hospitals and one person was self-transported.
“Thankfully, they stopped him when he was, because it could have been a lot worse,” Washko said. “This mall is pretty busy this time of year.”
Washko said the vehicle was still inside the mall Saturday night. 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 lead the investigation into the incident, the agency said. The Texas Rangers division, which is part of the Texas DPS, will also participate.