Allen Outlets Shooting: Leaders, celebrities react to deadly shooting

ALLEN, Texas - After the tragic shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets on Saturday afternoon many leaders and politicians issued statements sharing their concerns and sentiments.

READ MORE: Allen Premium Outlets Shooting: Shooter 'neutralized,' fatalities confirmed with at least 9 hospitalized

WARNING: Some statements contain foul language

President Joe Biden

Eight Americans — including children — were killed yesterday in the latest act of gun violence to devastate our nation. Jill and I are praying for their families and for others critically injured, and we are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and courageously to save lives.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to investigate this attack and I have directed federal agencies to provide all needed support.

Yesterday, an assailant in tactical gear armed with an AR-15 style assault weapon gunned down innocent people in a shopping mall, and not for the first time. Such an attack is too shocking to be so familiar. And yet, American communities have suffered roughly 200 mass shootings already this year, according to leading counts. More than 14,000 of our fellow citizens have lost their lives, credible estimates show. The leading cause of death for American kids is gun violence.

Since I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law and took two dozen executive actions to stem the tide of gun violence, we have made some progress. States are banning assault weapons, expanding red flag laws and more — but it’s not enough. We need more action, faster to save lives.

Too many families have empty chairs at their dinner tables. Republican Members of Congress cannot continue to meet this epidemic with a shrug. Tweeted thoughts and prayers are not enough.

Once again I ask Congress to send me a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Enacting universal background checks. Requiring safe storage. Ending immunity for gun manufacturers. I will sign it immediately. We need nothing less to keep our streets safe.

Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement shortly after the shooting.

"Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakable tragedy," said Governor Abbott. "I have been in contact with Mayor Fulk and DPS Director McCraw as well as other state and local leaders and offered the full support of the State of Texas to local officials to ensure all needed assistance and resources are swiftly deployed, including DPS officers, Texas Rangers, and investigative resources."

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also released a statement.

"Please join Jan and me in mourning the victims of the unspeakable tragedy in Allen. Please also join us in prayer for the victims’ families and friends along with the residents of Allen," said Patrick. "We are grateful for our brave first responders who were deployed to stop the shooter and investigate this hideous crime. We are thankful for their bravery and courage."

U.S. Congressman Keith Self

U.S. Congressman Keith Self, a Republican who represents Allen and other parts of Collin County, released a statement on Twitter. Self said that his prayers are with the victims, their famines and law enforcement at the scene. 

Self said that Allen PD has full control of the scene. 

State Representative Jeff Leach

Representative Jeff Leach, a Republican who represents Allen in the Texas statehouse, called for prayers for all of the people involved an affected.

Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who attended Allen High School, called the shooting "sickening." 

The quarterback asked how he could help the victims before saying, "When is this s*** gonna stop?"

U.S. Congressman Colin Allred

Congressman Colin Allred, a Democrat who represents parts of North Texas and recently announced a U.S. Senate campaign, said families will "forever be changed by this awful tragedy."

Texas Democratic Party

Texas Democratic Party Communications Director Ike Hajinazarian, who lives in Plano, issued a scathing statement which criticized the representatives in Allen for failing to pass legislation that would prevent violence like what was seen on 

"I’ll write out the same words I have for every other press release I’ve written about mass shootings in my career: that our thoughts and prayers are with the community in Allen, and we’re thankful for the law enforcement who arrived at the scene and did heroic work to save lives. 

"That’s still true. But this time, things hit even closer to home – since this one happened up the road from me.

"The same pathetic, cowardly Republicans who represent the Allen Premium Outlets represent me – so let me say to Jeff Leach and Angela Paxton as one of your constituents: DO SOMETHING. Not one single responsible gun owner in your districts wants these extreme, off-the-wall NRA-lobbied ‘laws’ – or lack thereof – you guys have been shoving down our throats for the past decade in order to win your ridiculous primaries. 

"Permitless carry (a bill Rep. Leach co-authored in 2021) is a disaster. Letting high schoolers buy ARs is a disaster. Letting rifles fly off the shelves with reckless abandon and flooding Texas streets with firearms is a disaster. Refusing to enact red-flag laws has been a disaster.

"Today, you two – along with all your fellow Texas Republican cronies, from Ted Cruz and Greg Abbott on down – have the blood of even more Texans on your hands, and you’re partially responsible for creating mass trauma in yet another Texas community. 

"There are still a few weeks left in this Legislative Session. Show one damn ounce of courage and pass into law some common-sense gun regulations that will keep these firearms out of the hands of kids or deranged lunatics. Help save some lives. Help stop the next mass shooting. We’re not asking for much."

"Polling released last week by the UT-Texas Politics Project shows that 76% of Texans believe the state should require a minimum age of 21 to purchase any firearm. The same poll showed that 72% of Texans agree that our state should enact "red-flag" laws, "allowing courts to require a person determined to be a risk to themselves or others to temporarily surrender guns in their possession."

Senator Ted Cruz

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) offered prayers for Collin County. He said his team is in contact with local officials and that "I have offered whatever support is needed to do justice and help those in need."

Cruz also thanked law enforcement officers who "put a stop to the evil monster who committed this act of evil." 

Beto O'Rourke

Former U.S. Congressman from Texas Beto O'Rourke also weighed in.

"We pray for the families as we continue working to replace those in power with leaders who value the lives of our kids more than the profits of the gun lobby. Only way to stop this," he said.

State Senator Roland Gutierrez

Texas state senator Roland Gutierrez, who represents the people of Uvalde, the cite of a school shooting last year, said "there is a special place in hell for people who watch all this happen and choose to do nothing."

Senator John Cornyn

Texas Senator John Cornyn said he is "grieving with the Allen community tonight." 

Cornyn also thanks Allen Police and other Collin County first responders for their response to the shooting.