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How to help the victims and families of the Allen outlet mall shooting

The eight victims who died have been identified.

ALLEN, Texas — At least eight people were killed when a gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets mall in Allen, Texas, on Saturday, May 6.

Several others were injured and were being treated at hospitals. Medical City Healthcare on Friday said it was treating five patients at two hospitals from the Allen Premium Outlets shooting, with the patients showing "continued improvement," according to the hospital's statement.

Here are those patient condition updates, as of Thursday, May 11:

  • Medical City McKinney: three patients in fair condition, one patient in good condition
  • Medical City Plano: one patient in good condition

The victim at Medical City Children’s Hospital (who was in good condition) was no longer listed on Thursday.

The gunman, identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia, was fatally shot by an officer who quickly responded to the scene, according to the Allen Police Department.

Gun control and gun laws are front of mind for many following the shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets. WFAA wants to know your thoughts. Call 214-977-6200 and leave us a voicemail.

On Monday, May 8, the Texas Department of Public Safety released names of five of the eight victims, who were adults: 

  • Kyu Song Cho, age 37, Dallas, TX
  • Cindy Cho, age 35, Dallas, TX
  • Christian LaCour, 23, Nevada, TX
  • Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32, Dallas, TX
  • Aishwarya Thatikonda, 26, McKinney, TX

The other three, who were children, were identified by family and a school district.

  • Daniela Mendoza, age 11, Sachse, TX
  • Sofia Mendoza, age 8, Sachse, TX
  • James Cho, age 3, Dallas, TX

Wylie ISD confirmed the IDs of sisters Daniela, fourth grade, and Sofia, second grade. The girls' mother, Ilda, is in critical condition, according to Wylie ISD. 

Read related story: What we know about the victims

As the victims’ families are grieving the loss of their loved ones, many are reaching out and stepping up to help.  

The city of Allen is directing those who would like to provide support and resources for the victims to do so by visiting the “Support for Allen Fund” created by the Communities Foundation of Texas.

The nonprofit says the money donated to this fund will be directed to local nonprofit agencies that are providing resources, and payment will not be made to individuals. Click here.

New Song Church in Carrollton created a GoFundMe page for the Cho family. According to the page, Kyu and Cindy brought their 3-year-old James and newly 6-year-old William, to the outlet to swap out some clothes that William received for his birthday.

Kyu, Cindy and 3-year-old James were killed, and 6-year-old William was recently released from the hospital. Family said they closed the GoFundMe page after it raised nearly $2 million. The funds will be used for funeral costs, other expenses and to start a trust. The family is asking for people to donate to the other victims. 

An online fundraising campaign was set up for the Mendoza family. The mother of the two girls who were killed is still hospitalized. 

A GoFundMe page was created in honor of Christian LaCour to help the family with funeral expenses. LaCour was working as a security guard at Allen Premium Outlets mall the day of the shooting and is credited with helping to save lives. The outlet mall donated $10,000 to the fund. If you would like to donate, click here.

A GoFundMe campaign was started for one of the surviving victims, Irvin Walker II. He was driving past the shooter's car to find a parking spot when the gunman began shooting into Irvin's car, according to the GoFundMe. The GoFundMe states that Irvin was shot twice – once in the chest and once in the shoulder – but is in stable condition and expected to survive.

The FBI Dallas office tweeted out The Family Assistance Center for victims directly impacted by the Allen Premium Outlet shooting, located at the Allen Senior Center on 451 St. Mary Drive, was open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

We're still working to gather more outlets for how you can help the victims and their families. Check back for more information.

    

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