BREAKING: Shooting In El Paso; At Least 20 Fatalities, 26 Injured

[UPDATE 4]

According to CNN, Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that the death toll stands at 20, and El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen added that 26 are injured.

[UPDATE 3]

A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly told The Associated Press that the shooting has taken at least 15 lives. “Hospital officials said another 23 people were injured and being treated,” the report states.

[UPDATE 2]

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued the following statement about the shooting:

Today, the El Paso community was struck by a heinous and senseless act of violence. Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific shooting and to the entire community in this time of loss. While no words can provide the solace needed for those impacted by this event, I ask that all Texans join Cecilia and me in offering our prayers for the victims and their families. The state of Texas and the Department of Public Safety are assisting the El Paso Police Department as they conduct their investigation. We have deployed troopers, special agents, Texas Rangers, tactical teams, and aircraft to the scene in a support role. The state of Texas will do everything it can to ensure justice is delivered to the perpetrators of this heinous act.

[UPDATE 1]

During a press briefing, El Paso Police Depament’s Sgt. Robert Gomez relayed the latest information:

“At this time, we have ruled out multiple shooters. It’s still active, but as of right now, we have one person in custody,” he said.

Regarding casualties and those injured, Sgt. Gomez said: “I don’t have that confirmation. I know we do have injured. I don’t know their status or if there’s any confirmed killed. As soon as we have that information, we will provide it, but we don’t want to do anything prematurely until we have accurate facts for you.”

The Sgt. also noted that police were systematically clearing the area to find any injured or hiding individuals.

As for the reports of the shooting taking place in multiple locations, Sgt. Gomez said: “I don’t have the locations of the casualties, I just know that there are casualties. … There were reports of gunfire in several locations – mainly at Walmart and the Cielo Vista mall.”

When asked if the shooting was “gang-related terrorism,” as some have suspected, Sgt. Gomez said: “We have no information, and we have not put out a concrete response on what the motive of this shooting is.”

According to Gomez, “initial reports” are that the weapon used was a rifle.

[Original Story]

On Saturday, at approximately 1 p.m. local time, the El Paso Police Department warned of an “active shooter” scenario near Cielo Vista Mall.

NBC affiliate KTSM reports that according to a law enforcement official, multiple individuals were killed in the shooting, which allegedly took place inside a Walmart. Others have been taken to area hospitals. There is no official fatality count as of publication.

NBC News reports that at least 10 people have been taken to the University Medical Center of El Paso with severe injuries, a spokesperson said.

CNN reports that a spokesperson for Del Sol Medical Center has stated that at least 11 victims have arrived there.

Dee Margo, the mayor of El Paso, confirmed to CNN that three suspects have been apprehended.

Alleged video footage from the event has flooded social media [WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT]:

Initially, the El Paso Police Department sent out tweets asking people to avoid the area in which the shooting was reportedly still active.

Roughly an hour later, authorities warned: “Scene is still Active. We have [multiple] reports of multiple shooters. Please avoid area police conducting search of a very large area. Media staging will be given when area is secure.”

This is a breaking story. Refresh for updates as more information becomes available…