Texas mass shooter reportedly had neo-Nazi, white supremacist social media posts

A gunman in the US who killed eight people – including children – at a shopping centre was wearing a piece of clothing with a chilling four letter slogan indicating he was a white supremacist.

Authorities in Texas have identified Mauricio Garcia, 33, as the main suspect in the Saturday afternoon shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets centre, 56 kilometres north of Dallas.

He started his rampage outside an H&M clothing store in the mall’s car park before heading inside.

The victims included Indian engineer Aishwarya Thatikonda, who lived in Dallas, and 20-year-old centre security guard Christian LaCour. One child who survived was reportedly found under the bloodied body of his mother.

Seven others, aged from five to 61, were injured.

Garcia was killed by police within the shopping centre.

It has emerged that Garcia served in the US military for several months but he was removed due to concerns about his mental health, reported the New York Post.

The mass shooting, the latest in an alarming number of similar incidents in a country which is tragically familiar with them, has again focused attention on firearms laws.

There have been 200 mass shootings in the US in 2023 so far, the highest in a decade.

Texas, where five people died just a week ago when a man opened fire on his neighbours, has loosened gun laws in recent years.

While a possible motive for the shooting hasn’t yet been announced, investigators are said to be looking into Garcia’s social media posts which may contain neo-Nazi and white supremacist views.

Rolling Stone magazine reported that the FBI has seen social media posts that included “hundreds of postings and images to include writings with racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist rhetoric, including neo-Nazi materials and material espousing the supremacy of the white race”.

Images of Garcia’s body indicate he was heavily armed with an AR-15 rifle, an ammunition belt and combat tactical gear.

Four letter slogan on killer

The New York Post has reported that Garcia wore a patch on his clothing that read “RWDS”.

That’s thought to stand for “Right Wing Death Squad,” a phrase used by some white supremacists.

RWDS patches have also been worn by far-right group the Proud Boys, some members of which were heavily involved in the January 6 2021 insurrection in Washington DC.

However, there is no known link between Garcia and the Proud Boys.

Rolling Stone additionally reported that investigators also believe Garcia was a so-called “incel” or “involuntary celibate” man who blames society for their inability to have sex.

He had reportedly been living in his parents’ Dallas house until a few months before the shooting.

US President Joe Biden renewed his call on Sunday for a national assault-weapons ban and other gun safety measures

“Eight Americans — including children — were killed yesterday in the latest act of gun violence to devastate our nation,” Mr Biden said in a statement.

He ordered US flags lowered to half-staff “as a mark of respect for the victims” and repeated his call for politicians to take action against a gun “epidemic.”

He also demanded politicians require universal background checks for gun purchases and end legal immunity for manufacturers’ whose weapons are used in attacks.

“I will sign it immediately. We need nothing less to keep our streets safe,” Mr Biden said in a statement.

Mr Biden joined local officials in hailing the quick actions of police for likely saving lives.

The police chief later said authorities believe the unidentified shooter “acted alone”.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who attended a vigil on Sunday evening for the victims, said “the hearts of all Texans are with Allen”.

Earlier in the day, the Republican had called the shooting an “unspeakable tragedy,” but yet refused to discuss repeated demands by Democrats for tightened gun restrictions.

“People want a quick solution. The long-term solution is to address the mental health issue,” including the increased “anger and violence,” in America, Abbott told Fox News.

Steven Spainhouer, a former police officer, said he was confronted with horrific images when he rushed to the scene and performed CPR on victims before emergency responders arrived.

Finding one female victim on the ground, “I felt for her pulse, pulled her head to the side, and she had no face,” Mr Spainhouer told CBS News.

He found the son of another victim lying alive under his dead mother and “covered head to toe” in her blood.

“It’s just unfathomable to see the carnage,” he said.

With more firearms than inhabitants, the United States has the highest rate of gun deaths of any developed country — 49,000 in 2021, up from 45,000 the year before.

– with AFP.