‘Multiple shooters’ gun down ‘at least 18 people with AK47s’ at Texas Walmart as cops lock down area
AT least 18 people have been shot at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, local media reports.
Local police have confirmed they have received reports of multiple shooters at the Cielo Vista Mall.
Witnesses said a shooter opened fire with a "rifle" or some other "semi-automatic" type weapon, KTSM 9 News reported.
It is unclear what the extent of the victims' injuries are.
Other witnesses have described the shooter carrying an AK-47.
Witness Rey Holgin told CBS News he was about to go into the Walmart when he heard at least 10 gunshots and he believes he saw at least two people with guns.
He added he saw at least one person, an elderly lady, fall to the ground, but he's not sure if she was shot.
Three Walmart employees hid a nearby Landry's Seafood house, restaurant manager Oscar Collazo told CNN.
She said: "We never thought it would be so close to us this time.
"You see on the news all the time, but you don't think it could happen here until it does."
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene to assist the El Paso Police Department.
Police were called to the Cielo Vista Mall just after 11am local time.
At least three nearby restaurants are on lockdown and video seen on Twitter shows people running out of the shopping centre with their hands up.
5US Representative Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, said on Twitter she was "heartbroken" by news and was monitoring the situation.
Presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke, who used to represent the El Paso area, tweeted: "Truly heartbreaking.
"Stay safe, El Paso. Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates."
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