Scores killed in another US mass shooting on Saturday

Multiple people have been killed in a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, United States on Saturday, TIME reports.

The El Paso Police reported the incident at Cielo Vista Mall on Twitter just after 1 p.m. EST.

Mayor Dee Margo has confirmed that there are “several fatalities.” In a briefing at 3 p.m., El Paso police spokesperson Enrique Carrillo said that there were “multiple fatalities, and several people have transported [to the hospital]” following the shooting. Carrillo reported that one suspect had been taken into custody.

In a subsequent briefing at 3:40 p.m. Sgt. Robert Gomez said that one male had been arrested.

Police had said on Twitter that there were “multi reports of multiple shooters.” Mayor Margo also said that there were multiple shooters. Gomez said that he could “not definitively say there was only one shooter,” but that only one person has been arrested.

Gomez said that, while it has not been confirmed, the shooter was believed to have used a rifle.

Following the shooting, police searched “multiple scenes, primarily at the Walmart but at the mall also,” Carrillo said.

Walmart responded to the shooting in a statement on Twitter.

“We’re in shock over the tragic events at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, where store 2201 & club 6502 are located,” the company wrote. “We’re praying for the victims, the community & our associates, as well as the first responders. We’re working closely with law enforcement & will update as appropriate.”

El Paso Mayor Dee Margo called the situation an “absolute tragedy” in an interview with local outlet KTSM. “It’s a very tragic situation, it’s not something El Paso would expect.” Margo said.

Local reports and videos shared on social media showing evacuations underway at other stores in the mall. An employee at a Sephora store in the mall told local news station KTSM9 that police and SWAT officers were “combing through” the mall to clear the area.

The police have advised the public to stay away from the mall, which is near Interstate 10 and on El Paso’s east side.

Credit: TIME