KILLEEN, Texas — A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened through the doors of a JCPenney store in Texas and continued through a busy mall, injuring five people before he was fatally shot by officers, authorities said.

The truck crashed into the department store in Killeen, about 68 miles (109 kilometers) north of the state capital Austin, around 5:30 p.m. Saturday and continued into the building, striking people as it went, Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Department of Public Safety said in an evening news briefing.

Emergency medical services transported four victims from the mall to area hospitals and another traveled to a hospital separately. They ranged in age from 6 to 75 years old and their conditions were not immediately known, he said.

The chase began around 5 p.m. on Interstate 14 in Belton, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from Killeen, after authorities received calls about an erratic driver in a black pickup, Ofelia Miramontez of the Killeen Police Department said.

The driver then pulled off the road and drove into the parking lot of the mall.

“The suspect drove through the doors and continued to drive through the JCPenney store, striking multiple people,” Washko said. “The trooper and the Killeen police officer continued on foot after this vehicle, which was driving through the store, actively running people over. He traveled several hundred yards.”

Officers from the state public safety department, Killeen and three other law enforcement agencies “engaged in gunfire to eliminate this threat,” Washko said.

One of the officers who traded gunfire with the suspect was working as a security guard at the mall and others were off duty, he said.

Washko did not have information about the suspect’s identity at the time of the briefing.

Witnesses interviewed by local news outlets outside the mall said they heard multiple gunshots and saw people fleeing through the mall.

by Archynetys News Desk

Texas Mall Rampage Leaves Five Injured, Suspect Fatally Shot

A chaotic scene unfolded at a Texas shopping mall Saturday afternoon when a pickup truck driver, fleeing police, plowed through a JCPenney store, injuring five people before being fatally shot by officers.

Suspect’s Erratic Driving Sparks Pursuit

The incident began around 5 p.m. on Interstate 14 in Belton, Texas, when authorities received reports of erratic driving by a black pickup truck. A chase ensued, leading officers approximately 20 miles to the mall parking lot in Killeen.

Deadly Rampage Through Mall

According to Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the driver, whose identity remains unknown, drove through the doors of the JCPenney store and continued through the building, striking several people. Officers pursued on foot, exchanging gunfire with the suspect, ultimately neutralizing the threat.

Multiple Injuries, Casualties

Four victims were transported to hospitals, ranging in age from 6 to 75, while a fifth victim sought medical attention independently. Their conditions remain unknown.

Officer Involvement

Sgt. Washko confirmed officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Killeen Police, and several other agencies responded. Notably, one officer involved in the shooting was a mall security guard, while others were off-duty.

Witness Accounts

Local news outlets interviewed witnesses outside the mall who described hearing multiple gunshots and panicked shoppers fleeing.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, aiming to shed light on the suspect’s motives and the chain of events leading to this tragic incident.

Stay informed. Follow Archynetys for updates on this developing story.

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