An armed bystander stopped a 16-year-old suspect in the fatal shooting of another teenager at an El Paso, Texas mall on Wednesday.
Interim Police Chief Peter Pesillas said the shooting preceded the shooting and called it a “random incident between two groups,” according to KFOX-TV.
According to the El Paso Times, the group that gathered at the Cielo Vista mall included six teenagers, ages 14 to 17, and another group that included the 16-year-old suspect and three others. 15 to 20.
According to Fox News, police have identified the slain teenager as Angeles Zaragoza, 17. Police said two other people besides the slain suspect were shot, according to Fox News.
The incident took place after 5 pm on Wednesday.
Police have not released the suspect’s name, but Fox News reported he is a Hispanic male.
According to KTSM in El Paso, the bystander was identified as 32-year-old Emmanuel Duran.
After the initial shots, police say Duran, who is licensed to carry a gun, shot the suspect.
“Immediately after the shooting, the 16-year-old suspect began to run away and was pointing a gun at bystanders, including 32-year-old Emmanuel Duran, a licensed to carry holder,” police said in a news release. release, according to Fox News.
“As the suspect ran toward Duran and the neighbor, Duran drew his handgun and shot the suspect.”
According to reports, Duran and an El Paso police officer working security administered first aid to the suspect and others injured in the incident.
The handgun used by the suspect was stolen, El Paso Police Sgt. Robert Gomez said, according to CNN.
βIt’s always concerning when a 16-year-old has a stolen handgun and fires a weapon in a very crowded mall. It’s very concerning, it’s very disturbing,” Gomez said, according to KTSM-TV.
Police said that the 16-year-old accused has been admitted to the hospital. Charges against him are pending.
Texas ‘licensed-to-carry’ bystander shoots El Paso mall shooter
El Paso, Texas police say a suspect in a mall shooting Wednesday was shot by a bystander, the result of a confrontation between 2 gangs. https://t.co/jJEZfxrE70
β John R. Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) February 18, 2023
According to KFOX, Cielo Vista said the mall will increase security.
“While the El Paso Police Department’s investigation is ongoing, the police chief stressed that this was a random, isolated incident stemming from an altercation between two groups at a tenant space near the food court,” it said.
“We are grateful for the quick response of the El Paso police officer stationed at the center, mall security and the extensive support of the El Paso Police Department and other responding agencies,” the mall said.
This article was originally published in The Western Journal.