‘Unspeakable tragedy’: National reaction to the Allen Premium Outlet Mall shooting

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday’s shooting at Allen Premium Outlets was an “unspeakable tragedy,” as he and other public officials and celebrities reacted to reports of another mass shooting in the Lone Star State.

“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas,” the Republican governor said in a statement.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked for prayers for the families and friends of the victims.

“We are grateful for our brave first responders who were deployed to stop the shooter and investigate this hideous crime,” Patrick said in an emailed statement.

U.S. GOP Rep. Keith Self of Texas, who represents the area where the mall is in Congress, said on CNN that there was one shooter and there were multiple victims. He declined to give details on the number of deaths.

Rep. Colin Allred, a Democratic congressman who launched a Senate bid to challenge Republican Ted Cruz, said on Twitter families will be “forever changed,” from the shooting.

“Some will not make it home,” Allred said. “Aly and I are praying for all impacted by this.”

Cruz tweeted a statement Saturday evening saying he and his wife are praying for the victims of the shooting and for Collin County.

Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who lives in McKinney, just a few miles from the mall, said on Twitter to “Pray for these families and for law enforcement as they try to apprehend this shooter.”

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of Dallas said its personnel were responding to an “active shooter incident” at the mall in the 800 block of West Stacy Road, near U.S. Highway 75.

Several other celebrities and lawmakers began reacting on social media. Arizona Cardinals star quarterback Kyler Murray, a former five-star recruit at Allen High School, asked how he could help those affected by the shooting.

“When is this s— gonna stop?” Murray asked.

North Texas state lawmakers also offered thoughts on Twitter. Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, who represents the district where the mall is located, said to avoid the area.

“Please pray for all those involved and affected,” Leach said.

Democratic freshman Rep. Mihaela Plesa of Plano, whose district includes parts of Collin County, said shopping at the mall will not be the same and then also urged the Legislature to take action to prevent mass shootings.

“We can’t put this burden on our children, law enforcement, on our communities,” Plesa said. “It’s not just at schools, it’s everywhere and everyday. What are we waiting for?”

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, whose district includes Uvalde, tweeted the shooting was a result of the “loose” gun laws in Texas.

“This is our reality in #Texas,” Gutierrez said.

The Legislature is currently in the home stretch of its legislative session, which takes place every odd numbered year in Texas. The session is the first session since the Uvalde school shooting last May, when a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school.

Families of those killed at Uvalde and Democratic lawmakers have urged lawmakers to pass gun control legislation. But it’s unlikely that the GOP-controlled Legislature will pass such proposals.