Eight people were reported dead and seven were injured in a shooting incident in US on Saturday (local time) after which the shooter was also gunned down by the police, reported AP. Emergency officials confirmed fatalities after a shooter opened fire at an outlet mall north of Dallas, Texas, reported AFP. A police officer, on an unrelated call in the mall, heard the gunshots around 3:30 pm (local time), said Allen, Texas, police department chief Brian Harvey.
"He heard gunshots, went to the gunshots, engaged the suspect and neutralized the suspect," Harvey said. "He also then called for ambulances."
Initially he confirmed fatalities but refused to give a death count saying "we do not have an accurate count" and Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said his department "transported nine victims to area trauma facilities."
A report by CNN also confirmed that some people were "fatally" shot in the incident by a gunman who, authorities believe to be acting alone and is now "dead".
A Dallas-area medical group said it was treating victims as young as 5 years old.
An aerial footage of the incident site showed at least three bodies covered by sheets outside the mall, as per the CNN report.
The police searched for another gunman responding to the afternoon shooting at Allen Premium Outlets, said the report, but later said they believed the shooter acted alone. Police said an Allen officer killed the shooter.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the mass shooting an "unspeakable tragedy."
The City of Allen tweeted: “Our hearts are with the individuals and families impacted by this tragic event.”
Shoppers and employees hid under storage areas as soon as they heard the gunshots. A witness told CNN that he saw a man holding his nech and "blood (was) just dripping down."
Tony Wright, a resident whose home backs up to the Allen Premium Outlets, said his family thought they heard construction before they realized it was gunshots.