A new case of bloody gun violence has shocked the United States: a gunman killed eight people in a shooting at a shopping center in the US state of Texas. The crime took place on Saturday in Allen, a suburb of the city of Dallas. A police officer who was on the scene at the time shot the alleged perpetrator before more fatalities could occur, local authorities said on Saturday (local time).
The U.S. has been dealing with massive gun violence for a long time. In Germany, research by Berlin’s “Tagesspiegel” and Jan Böhmermann’s ZDF program “Magazine Royale” into deals by European arms manufacturers in the US market are causing a stir.
According to this, the Federal Ministry of Commerce has organized and partially funded a booth for German companies at the world’s largest firearms fair in the US for decades – but is now stopping. “There will be no new federal stand” at the “Shot Show” in Las Vegas, a ministry spokeswoman told the “Tagesspiegel” (Saturday).
perpetrator was shot
In the United States, murders and fatal shootings are part of everyday life. Such larger attacks – for example in schools, supermarkets, churches, nightclubs or at major public events – regularly lead to discussions about tightening gun laws. So far without any success. Firearms are readily available in the United States and widely distributed.
In the current case, seven more injured people are being treated in hospital, three of whom are in critical condition, the ministry said. According to media reports, the injured were between the ages of 5 and 61.
According to the police, a police officer who was busy with something else at the time heard shots in the shopping complex on Saturday afternoon. The officer immediately intervened, caught the gunman and “turned him out”. Allen police chief Brian Harvey said he acted alone. The background to the crime was initially unclear.
The first shots were heard at 3:36 p.m., the city government said. Videos showed a man dressed in black getting out of a silver car in the parking lot and apparently firing first at people on the sidewalk. Eyewitnesses reported that he was wearing a bulletproof vest or riot gear. Others told CNN they heard dozens of gunfire.
“It was sheer chaos”
The crime scene is a sprawling outlet mall with some 120 stores and restaurants. Allen is located about 25 miles north of Dallas and has a population of just over 100,000.
“It was pure chaos,” Joseph Adams told the Dallas Morning News. “People were screaming for help, calling for ambulances, as police drove by looking for the gunman,” the 45-year-old teacher added. He saw four victims lying on the ground in front of a clothing store. Bodies covered in white sheets were also seen in videos shot from a TV helicopter. Brishon Brisby, 27, who wanted a pair of shoes back, told the newspaper she no longer felt safe anywhere: “If it can happen today, it can happen tomorrow.”
Local fire chief Jonathan Boyd said rescuers initially found seven dead, including the gunman, when they arrived at the scene. Nine people were taken to hospital, two of whom died of their injuries. The remaining seven would still be treated. The authorities initially did not provide more detailed information about the dead and the perpetrator. Television footage also showed hundreds of people being led out of the shopping complex.
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott described the act as an “unspeakable tragedy” in a written statement. The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden was made aware of the incident. The government headquarters is in contact with law enforcement and local authorities to provide support.
Second case in a few days
A few days ago, there was also a sensational case of brutal gun violence in Texas: a 38-year-old shot and killed five neighbors, including a child, in a small town near Houston. The neighbors had previously asked him to stop darting around his front yard so their baby could sleep. A little later, instead of calming down, the drunk man approached him with a gun and committed the bloody deed.
Biden has repeatedly called for stricter gun laws and has tightened certain rules slightly during his tenure. However, without substantial legislative changes, experts see no chance of real change. To push this through, however, Biden and his Democrats would have to rely on the willingness of Republicans in Congress to cooperate — and there is no sign of that in this area. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
