Driver shot, killed after crashing into Texas shopping mall and injuring 5

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) - Authorities say a man was shot and killed after driving his vehicle through a mall in Texas, injuring multiple people Saturday night.

Texas DPS Sgt. Bryan Washko said the suspect drove through the front doors of JCPenney at the Killeen mall, running over multiple people in the process.

“The trooper and Killeen police officer continued on foot after the vehicle which was driving through the store running people over,” Washko said. “He traveled several hundred yards.”

Four people were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe and a fifth person took themselves to the hospital, according to police.

Washko said the driver was shot and killed by a trooper.

“There were officers from DPS, the Killeen Police Department and three other agencies that engaged in gunfire to eliminate this threat,” Washko said.

The identity of the driver was not revealed by authorities.

Authorities said this was not an active shooter situation.

“Let me reiterate, this is not an active shooter,” Washko said. “There’s been a lot of chatter online of this being an active shooter, so we’re going to squash that.”

The situation, according to authorities, started with a police chase originating in Belton and ending at the mall.

Residents were asked to avoid the area as first responders conducted their investigation.

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