Police in Plano, Texas, have revealed new information about the deadly shooting on Sunday evening, Sept. 10, that has shocked the city.
The total of number of people killed by the gunman has risen to eight, as one of those wounded has died in a hospital. Officials are waiting until all next-of-kin have been notified before releasing the identities of the victims and the suspect shooter.
Plano Police Department Chief Gregory Rushin said the suspect shooter, who was shot dead by a police officer, had different types of firearms.
Rushin said that the victims were all adults in their 20s and 30s, including both men and women. Some had been shot dead in the backyard of the property, while others were inside and were confined to the property.
He could not confirm either way if these shootings were connected to another incident involving a gun in a bar near the area. He said he had heard “conflicting information.”
He confirmed that it wasn’t a “stranger-on-stranger crime,” and the suspect was known to those on the property.
“My understanding is they were having a cookout that afternoon and they were getting prepared to watch the Cowboy football game, a party at the residence,” he said.
The number of people who were at the party has not yet been confirmed.
“I thought a lot about it since last night I can assure you,” the chief said. “We’ve never had a shooting of this magnitude, we’ve never seen this many victims before. It’s just a terrible event. Our hearts go out to the family, and to their loved ones victims and I hope everyone out there can keep all of them in their thoughts and prayers.”
Rushin also praised the police officer who entered the Texas home and stopped the suspect’s shooting spree.
“He heard gunshots inside the residence, he observed shooting victims down the backyard, quickly understanding exactly what was occurring,” he said of the officer.
“When something like this occurs you can’t wait ... this officer went directly into fire where fire is taking place and stopped the shooter’s ability to continue to kill people. I think the officer showed great bravery,” he said.
The police received “more than a couple” of 911 calls from the neighborhood, he said.
The police force’s resources are “pretty stretched” and are involving police from Houston and Dallas.
The case continues to be investigated.
A witness at he scene, Crystal Sugg said she heard loud arguing before the shooting yesterday evening, when talking to the local Fox News station.
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