A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened by the doorways of a JCPenney retailer at a busy mall in Texas, injuring 5 folks earlier than he was fatally shot by officers, authorities mentioned.

A 53-year-old man recognized as John Darrel Schultz of Kempner drove a lorry and crashed into the division retailer in Killeen, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north Austin.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon as the motive force continued into the constructing, placing folks as he went, in response to Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Division of Public Security.

Emergency medical companies transported 4 victims from the mall to space hospitals and one other traveled to a hospital individually.

They ranged in age from six to 75 years outdated and their situations weren’t instantly recognized, he mentioned.

The chase started round 5pm on Interstate 14 in Belton, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from Killeen, after authorities acquired calls about an erratic driver in a black pickup, Ofelia Miramontez of the Killeen Police Division mentioned.

Schultz then allegedly pulled off the street and drove into the car parking zone of the mall.

“The suspect drove by the doorways and continued to drive by the JCPenney retailer, placing a number of folks.

“The trooper and the Killeen police officer continued on foot after this automobile, which was driving by the shop, actively working folks over. He traveled a number of hundred yards.”

Officers from the state public security division, Killeen and three different legislation enforcement companies “engaged in gunfire to remove this risk”, Washko mentioned.

One of many officers who traded gunfire with the suspect was working as a safety guard on the mall and others had been off obligation, he mentioned.

Witnesses interviewed by native information retailers outdoors the mall mentioned they heard a number of gunshots and noticed folks fleeing by the mall.