On Wednesday night, February 15th, gunfire broke out within the El Paso, Texas Cielo Vista Mall. Police have arrested two male suspects and believe that a third suspect is still at large. The three victims are currently at the University Medical Center of El Paso and are in critical condition. No motive has been confirmed for this tragic event.
According to witness Brandon Chavez, the gunman opened fire in the mall’s food court across from the Buckle clothing store where Chavez was working. While the shooting occurred, he led customers and mall employees to the store’s stock room where they barricaded themselves from the culprits, awaiting emergency response units to arrive.
Previously, another shooting occurred at the neighboring Walmart in 2019 that left 23 dead and many injured; unfortunately, Chavez was also present for the 2019 shooting. Robert Gonzalez, who is also an employee at the mall, was also present for the recent and previous shooting stating, “I was working (at the mall) the last time this happened with the Walmart shooting, so it just brought back bad memories.”
During the shooting, Gonzalez recorded videos of civilians running toward the mall exits and storefronts, where other individuals closed their entrances with security gates. Gonzalez was then able to safely make it to his car to wait for a safe exit from the mall.
According to interim El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas, the shooting occurred at 5 p.m. local time. An off-duty officer working as security in one of the mall’s stores was able to reach the scene to apprehend one of the suspects. Information on how the second suspect was arrested was not disclosed but more information will be disclosed at a later date.
So far, more than 70 mass shootings have occurred this year alone across the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive. In recent memory, many can recollect the shootings that occurred in Monterey Park during a Lunar New Year celebration and the closely followed shooting at Half Moon Bay. Reaction to another mass shooting will undoubtedly bring attention to America’s never-ending problem with gun safety and gun control.
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