Gunman opens fire inside a Walmart in El Paso, Texas shooting up to 18 people as police warn of ‘multiple’ active shooters
Shooting reported at a Walmart near the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas
A local NBC affiliate is reporting that at least 18 people were shot
A number of local businesses were reportedly in lock down
DAILYMAIL.COM
3 August 2019
El Paso police are advising the public to stay away from a local Walmart because of ‘multiple’ active shooters.
‘Scene is still Active,’ El Paso police tweeted on Saturday.
‘We have multi reports of multiple shooters. Please avoid area police conducting search of a very large area.
‘Media staging will be given when area is secure.’
A local NBC affiliate, KTSM-TV, is reporting that at least 18 people were shot, though the extent of their injuries is uknown.
‘Active Shooting Stay away from Cielo Vista Mall Area. Scene is Still Active,’ the police department tweeted on Saturday.
Earlier on Saturday, the police tweeted: ‘Active Shooter in area of Hawkins and Gateway East.’
Hawkins and Gateway are two streets that flank the Walmart. El Paso police later confirmed that the active shooter was inside a Walmart, according to USA Today.
At least three other businesses in the area are also on lockdown, including a Red Lobster franchise and a Hooter’s location, CNN is reporting.
Evan McMorris-Santoro, a reporter for the Vice news site, tweeted that he was at a town hall event for House Rep. Veronica Escobar when it was shut down due to the situation nearby.
Morris-Santoro clarified that the scene was ‘not close to us.’
Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. congressman who represented El Paso, tweeted: ‘Truly heartbreaking. Stay safe, El Paso.
‘Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates.’
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives announced that it has dispatched federal agents to the scene to assist local law enforcement.
‘Please stay away from the area and refrain from posting first responder activity on social media,’ the ATF’s Dallas bureau tweeted on Saturday.
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