Driver killed by police after driving truck into Killeen Mall, at least 5 injured

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A driver was shot and killed by law enforcement officers after driving a trucking into the Killeen Mall Saturday night, injuring at least five people, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Around 6 p.m. Saturday, the Killeen Police Department said on Facebook that the mall and surrounding area were "secure." It also said "there is no active shooter" at the mall and asked that the public stay away from the area.

During a 7:15 p.m. press conference, a DPS public information officer told media that the incident began as a chase, after a DPS trooper attempted to pull over a black pickup truck. The PIO said that the trooper was in the area after a 9-1-1 caller reported a possible intoxicated driver.

The pickup's driver turned the vehicle into the mall's parking lot, then drove it into the mall. At least five people were injured by the vehicle. DPS said it did not have information about the condition of those victims.

DPS troopers and KPD officers followed the vehicle into the mall on foot. Inside, they linked up with multiple off-duty officers from three other local law enforcement agencies.

A "shootout" with law enforcement occurred and the suspect was killed, according to the DPS PIO. The shooting will be investigated by the Texas Rangers.

The DPS PIO noted that online misinformation was spread rapidly immediately after the incident. Several such posts were seen by KXAN on social media websites Facebook and X, making claims of an active shooter.