Gunman opens fire at busy mall in Texas

The gunman – who authorities said acted alone – was killed by a police officer on Saturday afternoon, local time, after he began firing outside the Allen Premium Outlets mall in Allen, Texas.

City fire chief Jonathan Boyd told reporters seven victims were found dead at the scene, and nine others were transported to area hospitals for treatment, two of whom have since died.

Three victims are in critical surgery and four others are stable, he said, according to the New York Post.

Medical City Healthcare, a Dallas-area hospital system, said it was treating eight patients between the ages of five and 61.

According to media reports, the mass shooting was partially captured in chilling dashcam video. In the footage, the gunman can reportedly be seen stepping out of his silver sedan and immediately begins shooting at passers-by.

The shots continue for nearly 30 seconds and more than three dozen shots can be heard before the vehicle, which was recording the scene, drives away.

An Allen Police Department officer was in the mall on an unrelated call when gunfire broke out around 3.36pm local time, according to a statement from City of Allen City Hall.

“The officer engaged the suspect and neutralised the threat. He then called for emergency personnel,” the statement reads.

“Nine victims were transported to local hospitals by Allen Fire Department. A multi-agency response helped secure the mall.”

Officers initially thought there might be a second shooter at the mall, and police combed through the stores as footage from the scene showed shoppers and store employees rushing into parking lots.

“There is no longer an active threat,” City Hall said in its statement, adding condolences for those caught in the event.

“Our hearts are with the individuals and families impacted by this tragic event.”

Witnesses who were at the Allen Premium Outlets told The Associated Press (AP) they saw multiple victims, including some who appeared to be children, and that they saw a police officer and a security guard who appeared to be unconscious on the ground.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the mass shooting an “unspeakable tragedy.”

Graphic video circulating on social media shows the body of a man shot in the incident who is purported to be the shooter.

The man is seen in heavy military tactical gear in a pool of his own blood on the sidewalk outside of a Fatburger location in the mall.

Behind the man, who is dressed in all black, an assault rifle can be seen lying on the ground.

Aerial footage broadcast on local news stations appeared to show approximately four bodies hidden underneath white sheets in an outdoor area of the mall.

Fontayne Payton, 35, was at H&M when he heard the sound of gunshots through his headphones that was “so loud it sounded like it was right outside”.

He told AP people scattered before employees ushered the group into fitting rooms then a lockable back room.

When they were allowed to leave, Mr Payton saw the store had broken windows and a trail of blood to the door. Discarded sandals and bloodied clothes were laying nearby.

He saw bodies when he finally got outside.

“I pray it wasn’t kids, but it looked like kids,” he told AP, recalling the bodies were covered in white towels, slumped over bags on the ground.

“It broke me when I walked out to see that.”

Mr Payton believes he also saw the body of the shooter, which was not covered up, a heavy-set man wearing all black.

There have been at least 198 mass shootings – defined as shooting when at least four people are killed or wounded – in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

More to come.