9 killed in mass shooting in Texas shopping mall

Nine people were killed in a shooting at an outlet mall near Dallas, and seven victims are being treated at trauma facilities, officials said Saturday night. The gunman, who authorities believe was acting alone, is also dead.

Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey says the community has experienced a tragedy. The shooting started at the Allen Premium Outlets shopping center in the Dallas suburb at 3.30pm.

According to the police, at least three people are critically injured. In addition, four others are being treated in hospital with gunshot wounds. Witnesses have told of horrific scenes at the shopping centre. There were several hundred people there when the shooting started.

Seven were found dead at the scene, while two died in hospital. The victims who have been taken to hospital are aged from 5 to 61, the police said earlier. One of the dead must be the perpetrator.

– Our deepest sympathy is with the families of the victims. This is a tragedy, says the police chief.