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Texas mall shooter was booted from Army
A shooting at a Texas mall has left eight people dead and several others wounded. The gunman, Mauricio Garcia, was expelled from the military over mental health concerns, according to US officials.
Garcia had entered basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2008, with the aim of becoming an Infantry Soldier. However, army officials became concerned about his mental health early on and said that he also had an adjustment disorder.
Within three months, Garcia was expelled from the military without completing his training, and before receiving rifle training.
Garcia’s separation from the military is being investigated by law enforcement officials, and information about his “fitness for duty” is expected to be released soon. It has also been revealed that Garcia had been working as a licensed security guard for several firms, although he was not recently active.
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The shooter had no criminal history and was able to legally purchase the eight firearms that were recovered from the scene, including an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun. Officials are currently running background checks on the weapons to determine if they had been used in other crimes.
The motive for the Texas mall shooting remains under investigation, but it has been reported that Garcia had apparent mental health struggles and extremist beliefs that he shared on the Russian social networking site OK.ru.
Garcia shared more than two dozen images of the Allen Premium Outlets and adjacent areas in the weeks leading up to the attack. As part of the ongoing inquiry, investigators are looking into Garcia’s social media accounts.
At the scene, officers found Garcia wearing a patch on his chest with the initials “RWDS” which stands for “Right Wing Death Squad.” Garcia’s social media accounts included hate-filled rants against Jews, women, and racial minorities, as well as references to extremist online forums and content from white nationalists.
At least four guns were discovered at the site, including five in Garcia’s truck, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Investigators were able to find receipts for the purchase of three types of guns on Garcia’s social media account. These firearms were worth more than $3000 and were bought from a Dallas gun wholesaler.
The shooting has once again brought to the fore the issue of gun control and the need to address the mental health crisis in the country. Lawmakers have called for more comprehensive background checks and stronger measures to prevent individuals with a history of mental health issues from obtaining firearms.
The tragedy has left a community in mourning, with loved ones of the victims struggling to come to terms with their loss. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may be relevant to the case.
