Texas police released a body camera Wednesday video, shows an officer gently reminding children to fasten their seatbelts moments before running after a mass shooter, then killing him.
Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey praised his officer for taking decisive action on May 6 when gunfire erupted at Allen Premium Outlets in an attack that killed eight people before the attacker was fatally shot.
“This video shows how quickly a routine interaction with the public became a life-or-death situation,” Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey said in a statement. “The officer recognized the danger, ran to the gunfire and neutralized the threat, and for his actions, the Allen community will be forever grateful.”
The images, released after a grand jury cleared the officer of any wrongdoing on Tuesday, showed that He was standing by his car in the mall parking lot chatting with children and a woman when shots suddenly rang out.
“Make sure you wear your seatbelts when mommy is driving…be good,” the officer said moments before shots were heard.
He saw customers running away before grabbing his rifle and running towards the sound of gunfire.
Both the unidentified officer and the shooter were in the shadows. And with the body camera constantly moving, it was hard to see how far away the officer was when he brought down the gunman.
“Police shots, I shot him down,” the officer yelled. “I’m here for Lids, I knocked him down,” he said, referring to the hat shop.
He yelled at the others to move away from the body of the gunman, who was in a blur just outside a fatburger restaurant.
“I shot him down!” said the officer. “I think so. I don’t hear any shots. Is he down?”
Another officer later confirmed the death.
“Damn brother! Got it brother!” said the shooting officer.
The victims were Kyu Song Cho, 37; Cindy Cho, 35; James Cho, 3; Aishwarya Thatikonda, 27; Daniela Mendoza, eleven; Sofia Mendoza, 8; Christian LaCour, twenty; Elio Cumana-Rivas32.
The murderer, Mauricio García, 33, was forced out military 15 years ago due to mental health issues, including his difficulty coping with stressful changes, authorities said.
lindsey pipia contributed.
