Texas lawmakers offer support, prayers following deadly shooting at Allen Premium Outlets

Texas lawmakers offered their support following a shooting Saturday afternoon at the Allen Premium Outlets.

Nine people, including the gunman, were killed and seven victims remained hospitalized, officials said Saturday night. The victims included children.

Medical City Healthcare system said it was treating eight patients between the ages of 5 and 61. Two patients died at hospitals.

“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakable tragedy,” Abbott said in a statement Saturday. “I have been in contact with Mayor (Ken) Fulk and DPS Director (Steven) McCraw as well as other state and local leaders and offered the full support of the State of Texas to local officials to ensure all needed assistance and resources are swiftly deployed, including DPS officers, Texas Rangers, and investigative resources.”

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wrote on Twitter that he and his wife Heidi were praying for the families of the victims.

“We pray also for the broader Collin County community that’s in shock from this tragedy,” Cruz wrote.

“My team is in contact with local officials, and I have offered whatever support is needed to do justice and help those in need. Thank you to the incredible law enforcement who put a stop to the monster who committed this act of evil.”

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wrote he was grateful for the Allen police officers and Collin County first responders.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick offered prayers: “Please join Jan and me in mourning the victims of the unspeakable tragedy in Allen. Please also join us in prayer for the victims’ families and friends along with the residents of Allen,” he wrote in a statement. “We are grateful for our brave first responders who were deployed to stop the shooter and investigate this hideous crime. We are thankful for their bravery and courage.”

U.S. Rep. Mark Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat, called for gun safety measures in a tweet.

“Yesterday, another 8 lives were taken by a senseless act of gun violence in Allen, TX. My heart is with the families of those killed and injured,” the tweet reads. “This can’t continue to be the normal in our country. The time is now to pass commonsense gun safety measures that will save lives.”

Rep. Chris Turner, a Grand Prairie Democrat, called on lawmakers to act to prevent mass shootings.

“I won’t say I’m shocked, because what we’re seeing in Allen today has become all too routine,” he said in the tweet. “I won’t say to pray, because many others already have that covered. I will say, again, state and federal lawmakers have got to stand up to the NRA and do something.”

Texas Rep. Salman Bhojani, a Euless Democrat, said in a Sunday tweet that the tragedy in Allen is an experience Texas knows all too well.

“Yesterday our neighbors in Allen experienced a tragedy Texas knows all too well,” he said. “8 dead in Allen. 21 dead in Uvalde. 7 dead in Odessa. 23 dead in El Paso. 10 dead in Santa Fe. 26 dead in Sutherland Springs. How many more Texans have to die before we do something?”

Texas Sen. Tan Parker, a Flower Mound Republican, said tragedies like the one in Allen are becoming too prevalent in a Saturday Twitter post.

“We should lift up those directly impacted, and pray for our fellow man and our culture,” the tweet reads. ”We are at a crossroads. Good vs. evil. With God’s help, I believe we can find a path forward.”

Rep. Nate Schatzline, a Fort Worth Republican, offered prayers for Allen in a Saturday and Sunday posts on Twitter.

In the Sunday tweet, he said: “This morning I am holding onto my family extra tight knowing that just down the road families were shattered in Allen. As law enforcement continues to investigate why this act of violence took place, we will continue to stand and pray for the families, law enforcement, and the community. Philippians 4 talks about a Peace that passes understanding, and that’s what we’re asking for today. #prayforallen.”

In the Saturday post, he shared a statement from Rep. Jeff Leach, a Plano Republican, whose district includes the area where Saturday’s shooting occurred.

“I’m deeply saddened by the horrific events that occurred today at the Allen Premium Outlets, right in the heart of House District 67, and am praying for the victims and all those affected by this horrible tragedy,” he said in a Saturday statement. “I returned to Allen from the Capitol and am on site, working with our law enforcement agencies to provide whatever support is needed. I am thankful for the Allen Police Department, the Collin County Sheriff’s office, Texas DPS - and all of our law enforcement agencies - for responding heroically, swiftly and for taking immediate action. I will continue to monitor the situation and keep you apprised of information as I receive it.”

U.S. Rep. Keith Self, a McKinney Republican who’s district includes Allen, on Saturday called the situation devastating in a post on twitter.

“We are devestated by the tragic news of the shootings that took place at the Allen Premium Outlets today,” the tweet reads. “Our prayers are with the victims and their families and all law enforcement on the scene.”

Sen. Angela Paxton, a McKinney Republican who’s district includes Allen, said in a series of Twitter posts that her heart sinks reading accounts from Saturday.

“Reading the accounts from those that experienced this horrific tragedy yesterday makes my heart sink,” the tweet thread reads. “I can’t imagine the horror that must have been felt by everyone.At this point, there are eight confirmed victims of the shooting, including a 5 year old. Police said there are three victims in critical condition and four in stable condition at the hospital. Please continue to join me in prayer for all of the victims, their families, and everyone who has been affected by this unimaginable tragedy.”

Rep. Candy Noble, a Lucas Republican who’s district includes part of Allen, thanked law enforcement in a Saturday twitter post.

“It is with great sorrow we mourn the loss of innocent life today here in Allen,” the post reads. “I’m grateful to law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to save lives. We will know more in the hours ahead but for now please join me in praying for all impacted by this tragedy.”

Rep. Mihaela Plesa, a Dallas Democrat, who also represents part of Allen warned Collin County residents of the active shooter situation in a Saturday post and urged the Legislature to act in its final days.

“I’m praying for all who are affected by this tragedy including our officers— many of us enjoy shopping at the Allen Outlet and now that will never be the same,” the post reads. “I’m also praying for the legislature to have the will and courage to take action. We can’t put this burden on our children, law enforcement, on our communities. It’s not just at schools it’s everywhere and everyday. We only have 22 more days in this legislative session. What are we waiting for?”

In a Sunday news release shared on Twitter, Plesa reiterated the need for the Legislature to take action and address mass shootings.

“If elected officials can take credit for the successes in our state, we must be willing to accept responsibility for the failures and tragedies as well and do better for our constituents,” she said in a written statement.