El Paso mall shooting: Police officer on duty detained suspect within minutes, chief says

Authorities said the suspect, who on Wednesday shot one person and wounded three at a mall in El Paso, Texas, was detained within minutes by an on-duty police officer.

During a news conference Wednesday night, El Paso Police Chief Peter Pasillas said the off-duty officer, who has not been identified, was already at the Cielo Vista mall when the shooting started.

Pasillas said police received calls that the suspect fired multiple shots, hitting at least four people, at around 5:05 pm, and an officer took the suspect into custody by 5:08 pm.

The officer also shot the suspect without firing a shot, the police chief said.

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Police officers stand guard at the entrance to a mall on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Later in a press conference, Pasillas said that it is currently unclear whether the suspect shot the duty officer and that investigators were just beginning to investigate the crime scene.

The police chief said officers from several departments, including the El Paso Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the U.S. Border Patrol and the local FBI, responded to the mall’s “dynamic scene” and “quickly got it under control.” . .”

Pasillas said that according to preliminary information, the police department has two suspects in custody, and has repeatedly stressed that there is “no more danger” for the community.

According to the police chief, all the people involved in the shooting are men, including three victims who remain in the hospital.

Law enforcement agents walk through a mall parking lot on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

When asked if the shooting was gang-related or organized between “two groups of people,” Pasillas said the answer was not yet known.

The Cielo Vista mall remains an “active crime scene” and will continue to be locked down and guarded until investigators have finished processing, he said.

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The police chief told reporters that El Paso’s Burges High School, located at 7800 Edgemere Blvd, was established as a reunion center for residents and community members.

Other officials at the press conference confirmed the “fantastic response” from law enforcement officials, including the officer on duty who made the arrest, and employees from other agencies who also responded “within minutes.”

El Paso Mayor Oscar Lizer confirmed that the El Paso police are conducting an investigation with “great cooperation” from federal, state and local partners.

Law enforcement agents at the entrance to the Cielo Vista mall on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The mayor said the investigation was at an early stage and that they would “release the information in a timely manner.”

“We will have further updates as we have information,” Lizer told reporters.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Downing spoke briefly at the press conference.

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He praised law enforcement officers for their response and encouraged any potential witnesses to share photos or videos of law enforcement officers through a hint line available online.

“It’s important to get it as soon as possible,” he said.

Police officers gather at the entrance to a mall on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

During the Q&A session, Chief Pasillas did not reveal the victims’ identities, but clarified that at least one of them was “working in the shop” when the shooting occurred.

Pasillas also said that no officer fired at the scene and that no officers were injured.

The weapon that was fired from has not been identified.

An FBI agent walks out of a mall on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

None of the suspects have been hospitalized, he said.

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The police chief said that any cars parked at the mall are considered part of the crime scene and that investigators will clean them up before their owners can return them.

During the press conference, the mayor also answered a question about whether the shooting would have been worse if not for the officer on duty.

“We did our job,” Mayor Lizer said in response. “All the officers were in the vicinity within minutes.”

Pasillas was named interim police chief earlier this month on February 3 following the death of former police chief Greg Allen on January 17. He has served as Assistant Chief of Police since 2009.