Tragedy struck at the Killeen Mall in Texas on Saturday evening, just days before Christmas, when a man drove his pickup truck through the glass doors of a J.C. Penney store, injuring at least five people and killing the suspect. According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Bryan Washko, the truck was driven “several hundred yards” through the entrance of the store, and the driver was “actively running people over”. Five people were injured, ranging in age from 6 to 75 years old, and a fifth was taken to the hospital on their own.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was seen “driving erratically” and police attempted to pull him over, but he instead got off the highway and drove to the mall’s parking lot, smashing his truck through the doors of the J.C. Penney. Authorities say that the man was fatally shot by law enforcement who engaged in gunfire to eliminate the threat to the community.
The incident is currently under investigation, and authorities have reached out to the Killeen Police Department for comment. The identity of the suspect and motive behind the attack have not been released.