A tragic incident unfolded at the Killeen Mall on Saturday, December 23, 2023, when John Darrel Schultz, a 53-year-old man from Kempner, was shot and killed by police after he drove his pickup truck through the doors of JCPenney, injuring five people.
The dramatic chase began around 5 p.m. when police received reports of erratic driving involving Schultz's black pickup truck on Interstate 14. The Texas Highway Patrol attempted to pull him over after receiving a call concerning possible intoxication. Schultz, disregarding the officer's signal, continued driving until he veered off the highway and entered the mall's parking lot.
According to Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), "The suspect drove through the doors and continued to drive through the JCPenney store, hitting multiple people." Witnesses described chaotic scenes as shoppers scrambled for safety. One of them, Martin Alexander, shared, "I mean I’ve been hearing stuff from all over the states, but I never thought this would really happen in Killeen."
Once inside the store, Schultz's vehicle continued to move recklessly, hitting shoppers as he went. Video footage captured by onlookers showed the harrowing moments when the truck smashed through the glass doors and traveled several hundred yards inside the store before officers confronted him. The two officers involved—one from the Texas DPS and another from the Killeen Police Department—pursued the vehicle on foot.
Sgt. Washko elaborated, stating, "The trooper and Killeen police officer continued on foot after this vehicle, which was driving through the store, actively running people over." Amid the pandemonium, Schultz was engaged by gunfire from off-duty officers who were also present at the mall. The officers managed to neutralize the threat, firing on Schultz multiple times. Emergency medical services arrived swiftly, transporting four victims to local hospitals, with another taking themselves for treatment. Witnesses reported seeing both young children and adults among those injured.
Among the first responders was Pastor Dennis Feliciano, whose church members were inside JCPenney during the incident. Expressing the community's heartbreak, he said, "It’s heartbreaking, but at the same time it is joyful because they are okay. We are thankful." He emphasized the need for community unity during such trying times, stating, "We have to come together. It doesn’t matter what you believe in... it’s natural for us to come together and support each other.”
The police report confirmed the entire event lasted around half an hour, with investigations commencing immediately after the incident. Sgt. Washko noted, "Thankfully he was stopped when he was because it could’ve been so much worse." Four of the injured victims were reported to be stable following medical attention.
Following the shooting, misinformation spread rapidly across social media, mistakenly branding the incident as involving multiple active shooters. The Killeen Police Department quickly assured the public, indicating, "There is no active shooter" and asking everyone to remain safe and away from the area.
Mayor Debbie Nash-King expressed her condolences to the victims and their families, urging the community to extend kindness and safety during this holiday season. She remarked, "Killeen has experienced this deeply troubling incident, and we must support one another as we move forward united."
While the mall will reopen, the community grapples with the emotional aftermath of the incident, which has shaken its sense of security during what should be a festive time of year. The Texas Rangers are conducting investigations, with the DPS taking the lead as inquiries continue. The severity of injuries among victims, whose ages span from 6 to 75, remains under observation, but initial reports suggest they are recovering well.
This incident not only captivates Killeen but also resonates with communities across the nation, reminding everyone of the fragility of safety, especially during crowded holiday events. Killeen residents and workers alike are urged to stay vigilant and supportive as they navigate the emotional terrain resulting from this shocking incident.
