Allen Outlets Shooting: Vigil for victims, community on Sunday

ALLEN, Texas - The city of Allen held a vigil Sunday to honor the victims of Saturday's mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets.

Eight victims were killed and seven others were injured when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of people.

The mother of 20-year-old Christian LaCour said he was one of eight victims killed. She said he worked there as a security guard and grew up in nearby Farmersville.

According to the city of Allen, three surviving victims are in critical condition. While three others, including a child, are in fair condition. The condition of the seventh victim hasn’t been disclosed. 

A witness, Geoffrey Keaton, and his daughter took video of them hiding in a back room. 

The father told FOX 4 he saw the shooter in a tactical vest before running to safety.

A police officer, who was on scene for another call, shot and killed the shooter, who has been identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia.

FOX 4 visited Garcia’s listed address Sunday morning. 

Neighbors said FBI agents and Dallas police raided the home where Garcia stayed with his parents Saturday evening. 

"It still sends a chill down your spine knowing that the person who would commit a horrific crime like this lives fives houses away," Moises Carreon said. "[Investigators] walked out with several boxes. Five to six boxes."

Carreon said Garcia drove a silver sedan and parked it out front of the home.

Saturday, SKY 4 captured images from above of law enforcement officials searching the suspect’s vehicle and removing what appear to be rifle cases. 

Garcia had reportedly been staying at a Dallas-area motel, which also has been searched. 

President Joe Biden said Garcia was in full tactical gear armed with an AR-15 during the attack. 

Investigators didn’t offer any information Sunday on a possible motive. 

However, according to the Associated Press, federal officials are examining whether Garcia expressed an interested in white supremacist views.

Hundreds of community members attended the prayer service at Cottonwood Creek Church, as the city continues to grieve the lives lost. A host of politicians were there as well, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

The church is less than two miles from Allen Premium Outlets, which is still a crime scene from Saturday’s mass shooting.

"We will not let the actions of one individual impact our resolve. We will band together as a community and emerge stronger," one person said at the vigil.

President Biden confirmed some of the eight killed were children. 

A memorial to remember the eight victims has been set up by the outlet mall's entrance off Stacy Road. Stuffed animals were seen tied to crosses outside the mall.

Artist Roberto Marquez came out to build a memorial, a large cross to represent Jesus, with eight crosses to represent the victims.

His hope is that the memorial can bring comfort to the hurting. 

"They look at the cross and look for hope," he said.

People who were at the Allen Premium Outlets Saturday said they took cover in stores and helped victims after the gunman opened fire. Many who heard the shots fired said they were still shaken by it Sunday.

Texas DPS is the lead agency in this case, but the agency did not hold any on camera briefings Sunday, a day after the shooting, and did not take any questions from reporters. 

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Authorities announced plans for those who need to retrieve their vehicle after being evacuated from the shooting scene Sunday evening.