Off-duty police officer working security detail captures “Active Shooter” at El Paso mall
El Paso Texas February 16 2023
One person was killed and three people were injured after gunfire erupted inside a mall in El Paso, Texas, authorities said Wednesday.
An off-duty police officer who was working security at a nearby business quickly responded and took the shooter into custody.
The mall is next to the Walmart where a gunman killed 23 people and injured 22 in 2019.
Two people were taken into custody in the shooting at Cielo Vista Mall, interim El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas told reporters.
The off-duty officer working security at the mall took a person identified only as a male into custody three minutes after gunshots were reported around 5 p.m., Pacillas said.
A second person also identified as a male was taken into custody later, he said.
Pacillas did not provide additional details about them or say what charges they could face. A motive remains unclear.
Two of the wounded victims were in critical condition, according to Ryan Mielke, a spokesman for University Medical Center of El Paso.
The local emergency management agency established a family reception center at the main gym of a local high school, local officials said.
