On Saturday, May 6, 2023, a mass shooting took place at the Allen Premium Outlets in Dallas, Texas. Among the victims was Aishwarya Thatikonda, a 27-year-old Indian woman who was working as a project engineer in the United States. Thatikonda was shopping with a friend when the gunman, Mauricio Garcia, opened fire at the crowded mall. This tragic event highlights the continued problem of gun violence in the United States, which has seen 198 mass shootings in 2023 alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
The Tragic Incident
The shooting took place around 3:30 pm on Saturday when the outdoor mall was filled with shoppers. The gunman killed at least eight people before being shot and killed by a police officer. Aishwarya Thatikonda was among the victims of the senseless violence, along with eight others. Her family was informed of her death on Sunday and is in shock. Efforts are being made to send her body back to India.
Aishwarya Thatikonda was a project engineer at Perfect General Contractors LLC. She had spoken to her family members just before the incident on Saturday, but when they called her back after learning about the shooting, they did not get a response. Her friend, who was shopping with her at the time, was injured but is now in stable condition at the hospital.
The Gunman
Mauricio Garcia, the gunman, was 33 years old. He was shot and killed by a police officer who was patrolling the area. Police searched a Dallas home linked to Garcia’s parents on Saturday night after the shooting. They also searched a motel where the shooter had booked an extended stay.
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Responses to the Shooting
The mall issued a statement about the shooting, expressing horror and outrage at the senseless tragedy. They extended their thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, and those affected by the incident. They also thanked the heroic actions of the Allen Police Officer and all the first responders.
This tragedy occurred just a couple of weeks before the first anniversary of the Uvalle, Texas School massacre when 19 children and two adults were killed by a gunman at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022. It also comes just days after a gunman became enraged during a visit to an Atlanta medical facility, allegedly shooting dead at least one person with a handgun and injuring four others before he was caught hours later.
Conclusion
The senseless gun violence that took the life of Aishwarya Thatikonda and eight others is a tragedy that is all too familiar in the United States. It highlights the need for stricter gun control measures and increased attention to mental health issues. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence.
Source: NDTV
