Traumatic Memories Renewed After Today’s Shooting at Cielo Vista Mall
On Wednesday evening, El Paso police responded to a shooting at Cielo Vista Mall, where one person was killed and three others were injured.[0] An off-duty police officer who was working as a security guard at the mall was able to apprehend one of the suspects within minutes of the shooting starting. A second suspect was also taken into custody.[1]
Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted a statement, thanking first responders for “protecting their fellow Texans” and offering full state support.[2] He had also spoken to El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser to offer the state's assistance.
The mall is adjacent to the Walmart where a white supremacist shot and killed 23 people in August 2019.[3] Last week, the 24-year-old perpetrator of the shooting entered a plea of guilty to 90 federal charges as part of an agreement.[4]
Authorities reported that there were a minimum of three individuals who were legally carrying handguns in the vicinity of the shooting.[5] A security officer working in the mall took one suspect into custody, and then another suspect was apprehended by law enforcement. According to the Gun Violence Archive, in the United States thus far in the year, there have been over 70 mass shootings.[6]
The Cielo Vista Mall will stay shut until the inquiry has been completed.[7] Pacillas reported that the mall was anticipated to be back open late Thursday afternoon.[8] A security guard at the entrance would assist people with navigating the process.[8] One should bring their car keys and a picture identification card.[8]
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, responded to Abbott's statement by tweeting, “How about gun violence prevention legislation for our community’s security? You promised you would take action after the August 3rd shooting and you’ve done nothing but loosen gun laws. The legislature is in session. Be a man of your word for once and do something!”[9]
Today's shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall has brought back traumatic memories for many of us.[10] You are not by yourself.[10]
0. “Shooting at El Paso mall leaves 1 dead: See scene at Cielo Vista Mall” El Paso Times, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2023/02/16/shooting-el-paso-cielo-vista-mall-images-scene-police-response/69909823007/
1. “One shot dead, three wounded in Texas mall shooting” The Jerusalem Post, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-731738
2. “1 dead, 3 injured in El Paso mall shooting; 2 suspects in custody: police” New York Post , 16 Feb. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/02/15/1-dead-3-injured-after-gunman-opens-fire-in-el-paso-mall-food-court-police/
3. “Shooting at El Paso mall leaves at least one dead, three injured” Texas Public Radio, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.tpr.org/news/2023-02-15/shooting-at-el-paso-mall-leaves-one-dead-three-injured
4. “El Paso mall shooting leaves 1 dead, 3 injured. At a store next door, 23 people were killed in another mass shooting in 2019” CNN, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/us/el-paso-texas-mall-shooting-thursday/index.html
5. “Cielo Vista Mall shooting started with ‘random encounter,’ El Paso police say” El Paso Matters, 16 Feb. 2023, https://elpasomatters.org/2023/02/16/cielo-vista-mall-shooting-started-with-random-encounter-police-say/
6. “El Paso Mass Shooting Ends With 1 Dead, 3 Injured” TMZ, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.tmz.com/2023/02/16/el-paso-mass-shooting-mall
7. “‘I saw a barrel': Man recalls shooting at Cielo Vista Mall; helping other escape” cbs4local.com, 16 Feb. 2023, https://cbs4local.com/el-paso-texas-cielo-vista-mall-shooting-deadly-police-dps-fbi-witnesses-escape-food-court-witnesses-spencers-store-shopping-august-3-2019-walmart-surviors-burges-high-school-reunification-center-february-15-2023
8. “El Paso police respond to shooting inside Cielo Vista Mall; 1 killed, 3 hurt” El Paso Times, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/15/el-paso-police-shooting-inside-cielo-vista-mall-food-court/69908920007
9. “Texas mall food court shooting leaves 1 dead, 3 injured; 1 person in custody: police” Fox News, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-police-respond-shots-fired-el-paso-mall-food-court
10. “1 dead, 3 wounded in El Paso mall shooting; 2 suspects in custody” UPI News, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/02/15/El-Paso-mall-shooting/7651676513756
