KILLEEN, Texas — Tragedy struck Killeen Mall on Saturday evening when John Darrel Schultz, 53, of Kempner, Texas, drove his pickup truck through the glass doors of a J.C. Penney store, injuring five people before officers fatally shot him. The incident unfolded around 5 p.m. after Texas Highway Patrol troopers attempted to stop Schultz based on reports of suspected Driving Under the Influence (DUI) as he traveled on Interstate 14.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Bryan Washko, the suspect failed to pull over and instead entered the Killeen Mall parking lot, where he drove through the mall’s entrance and violently collided with shoppers. "The suspect drove through the doors and continued to travel through the J.C. Penney store, hitting multiple people," Washko described during a news conference.
Four victims were transported to local hospitals, and another person sought medical assistance independently. The ages of those injured ranged from 6 to 75 years, highlighting the tragic nature of the event occurring during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, just before Christmas.
Witnesses of the chaos recounted the terrifying moments inside the mall. Nathan Carrasco, who was present with friends, stated, "There were people lying on the floor with glass everywhere." He described how, upon seeing the truck breach the store, he and his friends immediately jumped out to assist those hurt.
Catherine Dedden, who recorded parts of the chase on her dashcam, relayed her horror as she turned to see police officers tend to injured individuals just moments after the crash. "I saw a little girl being carried by a police officer. Her head was bleeding; she was shaking. I asked if there was anything I could do to help," she recalled. Many others experienced similar panic as law enforcement authorities tackled the situation.
Authorities confirmed there was no active shooter during the incident, dispelling initial reports circulating on social media. The chaos escalated when responding officers engaged Schultz as he continued to drive through the crowded mall, which could have escalated the situation even more. “It’s unfortunate this has happened, and our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this incident,” stated a spokesperson from Killeen Mall, emphasizing the mall's priority on customer safety.
Officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the local Killeen Police force worked together to pursue Schultz on foot as he fled through the retail space, reportedly running over shoppers. Troopers described the frightening scene where they engaged the driver, who posed imminent danger to others. “Thankfully he was stopped when he was, because it could have been so much worse,” Washko added, reflecting on the tragedy of the situation.
Initial police pursuits began about 19 miles away from Killeen, after reports came through from Belton about the driver’s erratic behavior. Washko indicated, "This mall is pretty busy this time of year," underlining the significance of the incident’s timing. The events drew numerous law enforcement officers to the mall scene, creating visible concern among the public and witnesses.
Following the incident, the Killeen Police Department has initiated investigations, including the circumstances of the police shooting. The Texas Rangers are also involved. Investigations will focus on whether Schultz’s actions were intentional or borne out of desperation as he fled the authorities.
The immediate aftermath saw the mall shut its doors, only to reopen later on Sunday. "It’s not something you expect to happen especially this close to Christmas when families are out shopping for gifts," said Daniel Bartlett, who was working at J.C. Penney when the incident unfolded.
Experts anticipate increased security measures will likely emerge as communities assess potential vulnerabilities, especially during peak shopping seasons. They will also ponder the broader safety concerns surrounding public spaces and holiday shopping.
With five people injured, local officials are encouraging residents to reflect and support their community. Sgt. Washko expressed heartfelt sympathy, stating, "There’s people shopping for their families, their children, their friends, loved ones, and these kinds of things we don’t like to see, obviously, and we pray for their recovery." Amidst tragedy, the Killeen community remains resilient, ready to confront the aftermath of this shocking event.
