Crosses and flowers fill a makeshift memorial at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas on Monday, May 8, 2023. Eight people were shot and killed at the mall on Saturday. (Photo by Kevin Bartram)
By Kate Scanlon
(OSV News) — Bishop Edward J. Burns addressed the faithful of the diocese “with a heavy heart” late May 6 after at least eight people, including a child, were killed during a mass shooting that afternoon at an outlet mall in Allen, Texas.
“Like all of you, I am deeply troubled by the shooting in the community of Allen and the senseless disregard for life that has occurred in our community,” Bishop Burns said in a statement. “The Catholic community is in unity and solidarity with the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. May God, our Heavenly Father, bring comfort and strength to all affected by this tragic event. We ask God to comfort our community, the victims and their families.”
Authorities said a gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets, a Dallas-area outlet mall, killing eight and wounding at least another seven people before being killed by a police officer who happened to be at the mall.
The Allen Police Department said one of its officers had already responded to the outlet mall on an unrelated call, when the officer heard gunshots shortly after 3:30 p.m. The department said this officer “engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat.”
Victims range in age from 5 to 61 years old, authorities said. By midday May 7, authorities said they still had no information as to the shooter’s motives.
“We must work for an end to the violence,” Bishop Burns said in his statement. “We must pray for peace within our communities. And, we must have the courage to stand up to the forces of evil and the culture of death.”
St. Jude Catholic Church in Allen, Texas, posted on its Facebook page, “Let us pray together for the tragic events that occurred earlier today and all those affected by the devastating loss of life.”
“Lord God, Father in heaven, our hearts are broken, and we pray for all impacted by the horrible events that unfolded today in our community,” the posted prayer said. “We ask that You comfort all the families dealing with suffering and loss and pray that You give consolation as only You can give. We ask this in the name of Jesus Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, the Lord.”
That prayer was followed by a request for the intercession of Mary and all the saints and the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which says in part: “Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.”
In a statement posted on its website, Allen Premium Outlets said, “We are horrified by today’s senseless tragedy and outraged by the violence that continues to plague our country.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and others affected by this heinous act,” the statement said. “We are thankful for the police officer’s heroic actions and for the support of all the first responders.”
Elsewhere in Texas, another tragedy struck the following day. Authorities said a driver plowed into a group outside a shelter that had been housing migrants in Brownsville near the Texas border May 7, leaving seven people dead as well as others injured. The bus stop is across the street from the Ozanam Center, a shelter that houses migrants.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and others affected by this heinous act,” the statement said. “We are thankful for the police officer’s heroic actions and for the support of all the first responders.”
Elsewhere in Texas, another tragedy struck the following day. Authorities said a driver plowed into a group at a bus stop near a shelter that had been housing migrants in Brownsville near the Texas border May 7, leaving seven people dead as well as others injured. The bus stop is across the street from the Ozanam Center, a shelter that houses migrants.
