Driver Fleeing from Police Crashes into JCPenney at Texas Mall, Injuring Five; Suspect Deceased

KILLEEN, Texas—A driver of a pickup truck who was trying to escape from police crashed through the entrance of a JCPenney store in Texas and sped through a crowded mall, injuring five individuals before being shot dead by officers, according to officials.

The incident occurred in Killeen, approximately 68 miles north of Austin, around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, when the truck collided with the department store and continued inside, hitting shoppers as it went, as reported by Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Department of Public Safety during an evening news conference.

Emergency medical services rushed four of the victims from the mall to nearby hospitals, and another individual made their own way to the hospital. The victims’ ages spanned from 6 to 75 years old, and their conditions were not immediately available, he stated.

The pursuit started around 5 p.m. on Interstate 14 in Belton, located about 20 miles from Killeen, following reports of a reckless driver in a black pickup, as noted by Ofelia Miramontez of the Killeen Police Department.

The driver then veered off the highway and entered the mall parking lot.

“The suspect drove through the doors and proceeded through the JCPenney store, running over several people,” Washko elaborated. “The trooper and the Killeen police officer continued the chase on foot after the vehicle, which was moving through the store and actively hitting individuals. He traveled several hundred yards.”

Officers from the state public safety department, Killeen, and three additional law enforcement agencies “exchanged gunfire to neutralize this threat,” Washko stated.

One officer involved in the gunfight was a security guard at the mall, while others were off-duty officers, he added.

At the time of the briefing, Washko did not have details regarding the identity of the suspect.

Witnesses interviewed by local news organizations reported hearing multiple gunshots and observing people running for safety through the mall.