[103] Allen Premium Outlets, Allen, Texas

We have an active shooter, we have an after shooting's go ahead of a quaire with a mass casualty Welcome to Active Shooter, a podcast that covers the whys, the hows, and the aftermath of active shooter and mass casualty events. They have an active shooter in a building. A checking calls as they are big attack of a show. We got jus fires four fifteen as Brouge ninety one, so i'd like, oh, I'm at a fire, active shooter. It's of an active shooter, active shooter, active shooter in mass

casualty incidents. Thank you for listening. You are listening to Active Shooter, a podcast that may contain adult themes, explicit language, and graphic depictions of violence. Portions of this show may be traumatic for those under eighteen. Listener discretion is advised. Right now, North Texas is mourning the eight people shot and killed at an Allen's shopping mall. We are beginning to learn about those

lives taken and tonight. Law enforcement sources have identified the shooter as a thirty three year old man from Dallas. The shooting at the Allen Park Outlet mall was a targeted, vicious shooting a directly impacted the fifteen innocent, unsuspecting people who were shot. Seven survived, while the other eight died. The lives of hundreds more were destroyed in the aftermath of such a hideous, unspeakable crime. A family of four was reduced to a sole survivor, while another family

of four became a family of two. The shooting victim's ages ranged from a tender three years old to sixty one. While the shooting was indeed a planned attack, there wasn't a specific group of people sought out. No one was left untouched, no age, sex, race, or religion was singled out. Everyone was prey. Today's case is dedicated to the lives and memories of

the seven injured survivors and the eight shooting victims. Q Song Cho, Cindi Cho, James Cho, Christian Liqueur, Daniella and Sophia Mendoza, Ashiwara Tatikonda and Elio Kumana Rivaz Active Shooter. The podcast is a High five Holly production and I'm your host j T. If you've listened to our prior episodes, you know that the act of the Shooter podcast team has taken thee no notoriety pledge and we will not be sharing the real name to the shooters that we

cover. We will be giving the shooters a pseudonym and refer to them by that name throughout the episode. This will help in clearing up any confusion in the story. While remaining true to our pledge and not naming the shooter by their actual name, we will refer to today's shooter as Randall. Saturday May sixth, twenty twenty three was a hot, sticky day. Temps were in the nineties and many residents of Allen, Texas were seeking relief from the extreme

heat inside the many different stores that made up Allen Premium Outlets Mall. Because it was a weekend, the mall was at its busiest. However, that coupled with the extreme temperatures, meant the entire place was swarming with people at every turn. The mall, which is owned by Simon Property Group, is a large outdoor shopping center with over one hundred twenty name brand and designer stores and sits at eight to two zero West Stacey Road, Allen, Texas.

Allen, Texas is located within Collin County and is populated with one hundred four thousand, six hundred residents. The city and affluent suburb of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area sits approximately twenty five miles north of Dallas. At approximately three thirty six pm, thirty three year old Randall drove a twenty fourteen gray Dodge Charger towards the mall. He was dressed head to toe in black and wore

a black tactical vest which bore a patch that read RWDS. Also known as right wing death Squad, which is a phrase often used among white supremacists and right wing extremists. Randall wasn't taking a Saturday cruise to the mall to wander around intimidating others with his menacing look. He was carrying an AR fifteen style rifle and numerous magazines loaded with ammunition, and he was planning to carry out

an attack and his mission was to murder as many shoppers as possible. Upon pulling into the parking lot of the mall, Randall parked near the H and M store, exited his vehicle and immediately began firing into a small crowd of people standing just outside of the store. We got so far at the Alamo start at the shoppers started running desperate to find shelter or safety somewhere, Yet they weren't all fully certain where the shooting was coming from, making it nearly

impossible to know where to hide. Some people took cover behind parked cars, while others laid in storage areas and back hallways in and around the mall. I started praying. I was rocking on my knees and praying. They were praying. Everybody was just kind of having their own moment, trying to reach loved ones. I'm trying to text my family for what I thought was my

last moments, to be honest. Thirty seven year old Q Song Chow and his thirty five year old wife, Cindy Cho were among those outside of the mall who were shot and killed. The couple was at the mall with a three year old James, who survived the shooting. James was held briefly in the ICU before being released as an orphan. Q and Cindy were described as quote family oriented pillars in their community, and Cindy specifically was said to be

quote the sweetest, most caring and positive person. The little family regularly attended a Bible study and belonged to a Fellowship group. At the New Song Church just outside of Dallas. Q was an immigration attorney who chose that particular field after his own experience as an immigrant in the early nineties. Cindy was a dentist who went by the professional name of Cindy Kang at her practice. Their sweet boy, James loved elephants and had a shining smile. He was the

absolute light of his parents' lives. James's daycare teacher said the youngster was a brilliant child who could read and write his own name at merely three years of age. A GoFundMe was established for James, and it raised over one point eight million dollars. Meanwhile, a mother and daughter were shopping inside of a nearby Haines Brand's store when they saw a man exiting his vehicle carrying a large weapon. The manager of the store also saw the man and hurriedly rushed all

customers into the back room after locking the front door to the store. A minute after the shooting began, a police officer who was at the mall on an unrelated call heard gunshots and called for backup, running towards the sounds of the rapid gunfire. By three forty p m Multiple nine one one. Calls were streaming in witness Where are they at right now? Do you have eyes

on the shooter? Perry Ellis who was in front of Perry Alice walking on Harry and over lash Alan one A one Are you calling about the shooting? Yes, we got a victim. We got a victim there and Boutiste six. It's the fleet start. We have health on the way. We do have medics in the area right now. Shooting victim inside Francesco's. So where this story. Okay, You're gonna stay right where you're at until you hear

the police officers say you can come out. Okay, Okay, just stay right where you are and if anything else happened there, anyone's hurt, you call us back, but they are already clearing out stores. They'll be with you as fast as they can. Within three to four minutes, fifteen people were shot, including twenty year old security guard Christian Isaiah LeCour Christian was born

on January fourteenth, two thousand and three, in Farmersville, Texas. He graduated from Farmersville High School before going on to become a security officer for Allied Security. Christian was the person we all need in life. He was quick to sing a tune make you laugh, and he listened with an open heart and always knew the right advice to offer. Christian never cared what others thought

of him, and people said his hugs could make almost anything better. Friends described him as a gentle giant who quote always had a song in his heart. His most treasured time was spent lounging in his bean bag, wearing a bathrobe and his beloved cat slippers, and playing video games. Christian is survived by his parents, three sisters, and brother. He also leaves behind a

loving girlfriend and two feline and fur babies. All of the shooting victims were outside of the mall, and by all accounts, Randal never even made it inside of the mall. A witness later reported seeing a man fleeing the scene, clutching onto his neck, which was stained bright red from the flow of bloods surging out. Yet another witness managed to get her daughter and herself into her car, believing they were no longer in danger, until she felt her

vehicle being struck not once, but twice by bullets from the shooter. Mercifully they were unharmed. The same couldn't be said for sisters, eleven year old Daniella and eight year old Sophia Mendoza. The young sisters were at the mall shopping with their mother, Ilda, who was also shot yet survived for physical injuries after a stint in the ICU. Both Daniella and Sophia attended Sherry Cox Elementary School in Wiley, isd and the school's principal said that both girls were

quote rays of sunshine and most everyone adored them. A massive memorial was made up of flowers, balloons, and toys and was erected in front of the school, and yellow ribbons were tied around trees while staff and students or yellow, both girls favorite color, to assist the students and staff in processing their green. The Canine Comfort Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities visited the students in the

days following the shooting. The sisters were both cheerleaders and though they loved school, each was looking forward to the summer break that was only two weeks away. Sophia was an honorable student who was learning about organisms, fractions, and weather patterns. Besides her general studies, she was a lover of the drama department and had been diligently studying her lines as the lead in the upcoming play

Pirate Jane. At school. The day before the shooting, Sophia created a scrap book wherein she called herself Sassy and described her dreams for the future, a future she deserved to fulfill. Daniello was close to graduating from the fourth grade, and at a recent awards ceremony, the young girl was named most likely to become a teacher. The sweet young lady wore black rimmed glasses and little bows in her hair, conjuring a heartbreaking image of an innocent little girl

who didn't deserve to die in such a brutal manner. Over two hundred and forty thousand dollars was raised through a GoFundMe for the family of sisters. Randa was reported to have been shooting at random, as though he had no specific target. No he didn't particularly care about whom he shot. He simply wanted to kill. Another of the shooting victims was twenty six year old Aishwara Tatikonda,

who was shopping with a friend when she was shot and killed. Some sources indicate her age to be twenty seven, and it is unclear which is accurate. Aihawara was born and raised in Hyderabad, India, and came to the United States to attend Eastern Michigan University, where she graduated in December of

twenty twenty with a Masters of Science in Construction Management. She was a project manager for Perfect General Contractors LLC and Frisco Texas and was said to have an incredibly bright future as a civil engineer and indeed, the owner of Perfect General intended to name Aishawara as CEO in the coming months, saying that she was dedicated to growing the company. Becoming CEO is a hard earned achievement that she

will never get to realize. During her college years at e MU, she became a proud member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was known to be extremely meticulous and thorough. Aihawara's remains were flown to Hideerabad on May tenth so a proper funeral could be held among her family and friends in India. From there, her remains were taken to the Nagol Cremation Grounds where her last rites were performed. Her father, a district court judge in India, along

with the rest of her family and loved ones deeply mourn her passing. The last of the shooting victims was thirty two year old Elio Kumana Rivas. Elio was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and had only lived in the United States for a few months before his violent death. His brother reports that Elio fled from the savagery of their home country, arriving in the US in October of

twenty twenty two hours before the shooting. His older brother, who also decamped Venezuela, was leaving the immigration office when he received a phone call from a mutual friend who told him that Elio was at the mall where a mass shooting happened. He was devastated. They escaped from a country filled with chaos and brutishness, only for a life to be lost in such a senseless attack. Elio was affable and courteous to others and worked diligently to send money home to

support his family in Venezuela. He was at the Outlet mall that day accompanying a friend who was searching for a birthday present for their daughter. A memorial for Elio was held at Pylar Funeral Home in Garland, Texas. Stephen Spain Hower and O Army veteran and retired police officer was contacted by his son, who was an employee at H and M. His son told him about the shooting, and by instinct, Stephen rushed to the mall seeking a way to

assist. When he arrived, he came upon several injured shoppers, and he attempted to perform CPR in three separate victims, but he wasn't able to save them. However, Stephen wasn't deterred, and he continued looking for ways to help. He found a young boy who was covered in blood after seeking shelter beneath his deceased mother, and Stephen managed to coax the boy to come with

him to safety. The attack was brief but deadly. By three forty p m. The Allen Police Department confirmed that the responding officer, who was already at the mall, was able to quote stop the threat and neutralize the shooter.

The officer made contact with Randall just outside of the Fatburger restaurant and they exchanged gunfire before the officer shot and killed Randall at four twenty two p m. First responders began the laborious process of evacuating shoppers from within the stores they located and aided many living survivors and witnesses, though sadly they came across an

astounding amount of blood and death. The scene was somber and devastating. Several witnesses sheltered for up to two hours after the shooting patiently, and they were desperately waiting for police to locate them and assure them that it was all over. Groups of people were escorted from the stores and mall, and an officer was overheard telling the group that if any of them had children, they should cover their eyes. The site was one you could never unsee, and no

one needed that added trauma. People quietly walked single file out of the mall and into a world that no longer made sense. Victims were rushed to various local hospitals, including Medical City Plano, Medical City McKinney, and Medical City Children's Hospital. Bomb sniffing dogs were taken around the perimeter of the mall and parking lots, searching for any traps that the shooter may have set in his wake. Three firearms were located on Randall's person, and an additional five guns

were found in his car. Though only one was actually used in the shooting. It was also discovered that Randall was staying at an extended stay hotel in Northwest Dallas, a hotel that was often described as transient lodging. Search warrants were obtained and executed on the hotel, specifically Randall's room, and a private residence in Northeast Dallas. The house in Northeast Dallas was located on a sleepy

suburban street and belonged to Randall's parents. The FBI was at the house within an hour of the shooting, and they had the entire street blocked off for hours. Multiple items of interest were removed, including three boxes of ammunition with miscellaneous loose rounds, pictures, six hand written notes, a knife and a holster, a rifle, handguard, handcuffs, a gun, holster, two black house that's one with the saying killing it and the other with security printed

on it, and several other unidentified items. Neighbors say the family lived there for many years and they were all well liked. Several say that Randall appeared disconnected and aloof, though not threatening in any manner, he just seemed to keep to himself. Thirty three year old Randall was born and raised in northeast Dallas. He attended and graduated from Brian Adams High School in Cassaview, Texas,

a suburb of Dallas. After he graduated, Randall enlisted in the United States Army in June of two thousand and eight, but he never completed basic training. After about three months, he was terminated due to mental health concerns. But, and this is critically important, his termination did not appear in the National Instant Criminal background check system. Due to the discharge being an administrative separation and not a disciplinary discharge, there was nothing barring this young man from

obtaining way weapons of any kind. At some point after his discharge from the Army, Randall worked for an aluminum supply company, though it doesn't appear that that job lasted long. He eventually secured a job as a security guard, working for at least three different companies over the years. The security job offered firearms training along with Level two and Level three security training, which is required

for all personal protection and commissioned security officers in Texas. The training includes the aforementioned firearms training as well as the demonstration of firearm proficiency. In other words, despite the lack of military instruction, Randall was well trained and extremely skilled

with a weapon. In the weeks prior to the shooting, Randall was living in the motel and he spent free time perusing social media sites where he possessed membership, including a Russian platform where he posted neo Nazi and white supremacist content. Randall often expressed distaste for women, racial minorities, and Jews, and this content was posted as recently as days before the shooting. He also displayed photos of himself bearing Nazi tattoos such as a swastika and the SS Lightning Bolt

logo. He used anti Asian and anti Arab slurs, and shared quotes from far right sources. As if that content wasn't disturbing enough, Randall celebrated other mass shooters, like the twenty twenty three Nashville school shooter and the twenty fourteen Ila Vista murders. Anyone with an obsessive interest in such topics, particularly those

who eulogized mass shooters, should immediately raise serious red flags. Three weeks before the shooting, Randall posted pictures of the outlet mall's entrance, as well as screenshots of a page that displayed the mall's peak hours. He discussed his dreams about race wars and society's demise, and in one post, Randal described himself

as an incel, which we've covered in greater detail in other episodes. The Oxford Dictionary describes an inceel as a member of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually, typically associated with views that are hostile towards women and men who are sexually active. His online account showed zero friends and no comments from others, and as such it is believed that the

account was used as an online diary of sorts. The platform he chose to express these disgusting views on has little to no content moderation, making it a popular choice among those who choose to express extreme opinions. Not long before the shooting, Randal created and posted a note which was comprised of over five hundred words and believed to be a possible suicide note. The letter detailed fantasies and

included pop culture references as well as proclamations of self aggrandizement. The note was long and rambling, and often quoted phrases from the show South Park In several other movies or shows, along with many of his own, including quote, even if I did go to a psychologist, They're not going to be able

to fix whatever's wrong with me. Besides that shit's expensive. Another post made by Randall expressed indignation towards family members who quote mocked any attempt I made to be masculine and told me I was disturbed he made concerning references to the Noble War, which is a phrase that white supremacists use to describe their presumption of a race war. Not one of Randall's posts were commented upon, nor were

any liked or shared by other members. All of the weapons that Randall possessed were legally purchased, though over a period of time and not all at once, which may have raised suspicion Randall's mother and stepfather, who owned the home. The police searched, o paraded, with authorities offering any insight they could. The precise motive is unknown. He seemed to hate anyone who didn't look or act just like him. Why Randall selected the outlet mall, the specific

date or time will likely never be known. The president ordered flags to be lowered to half staff and remained there through the following Thursday in honor and recognition of the victims. Days after the shooting, on May eighth and ninth, mall patrons were permitted with a mall security escort to go and retrieve their cars that sat in the otherwise vacant parking lot. The mall reopened on May thirty first, twenty twenty three, although each individual store was reopened at the discretion

of their respective owners. The police officer who shot and killed the shooter was officially cleared of any wrongdoing by a grand jury decision on June twenty sixth, twenty twenty three. The jury felt that the state law justified the use of force. We will never know how many lives were saved or how much more

devastating the shooting would have been if not for this immediate intervention. You see, we all have the unique ability to help prevent such a catastrophic event from happening if we keep our eyes and ears open and never hesitate to report when something or someone just doesn't seem right. With the delicate balance of mental health reform, education, active shooter training, and common sense gun laws, we may one day realize the dream, the dream that there will be no more

active shootings. We pray that love will prevail over hate. In the meantime, we urge our listeners to stay aware of your surroundings and keep in touch with your loved ones. If you see something, say something, you never know how many lives you'll be saving. Thank you for listening to today's episode of Active Shooter the Podcast. Remember, if you see something, say something,

there's no telling how many lives you may be saving. A big thank you to Darren Curtis, who composed some of the songs on our show. You can find him online at www dot Darrencurtis music dot com. Make sure to check us out on social media. You can find us on Facebook at Active Shooter the Podcast and on Twitter at podcast Active. Thank you and be safe.