our county agencies, the sheriff s office, and our state partners, international partners i appreciate from governor abbott on down, we received calls from all of our partners across the state and former senators. i appreciate that they send with us. i m proud about the many women of law agencies, or in agencies, that were there immediately today as stood so brightly and courageously to protect our neighborhood and community and we will, as a community, respond and we will get passes together i m going to hear next from the mayor of the city. again, my name is ellen mayer kill fog, i m here to read the statement for the city of allen. today is a tragic day for the city balance our friends, visitors and the allen premium
a lot of horsemen here in just a few minutes, for details are coming to light. i think one important note here is that there were rumors almost immediately as the gunshots began circulating on social media, among those people inside the mall, that the shooter was wearing some sort of body armor and appeared to look like a potential police officer. that is why, elise from the perspective of miss perez, who we spoke to, she said that they were almost hesitant, even potentially fearful that when police finally showed up to rescue them, they doubted that they were actually the good guys, in that situation because of the description of the gunman that had gone out, and that he was just in a very tactical manner, per se. morgan, really quickly, and i don t know if you re familiar with the severe, but can you describe a little bit of allen, texas. if you re familiar with the, it sounds like there is a little bit of a busy traffic there behind you.
i am state representative jeff reach from us district 67 and president of allen. my family and i reside about a mile from where the shooting took place. this community is home for us, and our hearts are devastated and broken tonight. no law enforcement official, no elected official ever imagines or plans to or hopes to speak in front of a press conference like this. but here we are, and we are resolute and our commitment to pray for. praying and believing for the victims and their families. there are many, many people in our community tonight who are hurting, whose lives have been shattered, and who need and deserve our collective prayers.
they have done tonight. people of faith all over every community. they of course have our purse in this moment, tomorrow, on sunday at 5 pm, we will be holding a vigil at cottonwood creek back the streets and allen. just got a phone with pastor john the church done such a wonderful job with others in the community and wrapping their arms around this community and loving on and supported people in the time of need. tomorrow will be a great night of healing, a much-needed night of healing. and hope. i was on scene today. i was in constant communication with governor abbott and our speaker, they feline, who have offered their full support of the state government. i ve been on the phone with steve mccraw, executive director of the public of safety. the state government stands ready to assist our police
lives were saved by the swift actions of our first responders. what we do know is we owe a debt of gratitude to first responders who ran toward the gunfire and acted swiftly to neutralize the threat. i ll be followed by state representative [inaudible] i m state representative jeff leach from 67, president of allen. my family and i reside a mile from where this shooting took place. this community is home for us and our hearts are devastated and broken tonight. no law enforcement official, no elected official ever imagines or plans to or hopes to speak in front of a press conference like this but here we are and our