Chief: Off-duty police officer took down suspect in El Paso mall shooting

By Sarah Calams
Police1

EL PASO, Texas — A suspect fatally shot one person and wounded three others at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday. Now, new details from El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas have shed light on how the shooting was halted by an off-duty police officer.

During a press conference, Pacillas said the off-duty officer, who was not named, was already at the Cielo Vista Mall when the incident occurred, FOX News reported. The shooting was reported at 5:05 p.m. and within three minutes the officer was able to take the suspect down without firing a shot.

Officers from a handful of departments responded to the scene and “quickly brought it under control,” the chief said. There are currently two suspects in custody and the three wounded victims remain hospitalized, according to police. The off-duty officer was not injured.

The shooting, including details of what led to the incident, remains under investigation. The FBI is assisting El Paso police in the investigation and set up a website where the public can share photos or videos from the shooting. Click here for more information.