Allen Premium Outlets, the site of Saturday’s mass shooting that left eight people dead, including three children from two families, will be closed indefinitely, a spokesperson for the mall said.
Megan Hakes, the spokesperson for the Simon Property Group — which owns Allen Premium Outlets — said the situation is “fluid” but that the mall would be closed “indefinitely,” according to The Dallas Morning News.
The website had reportedly initially displayed a message saying the outlet is closed until further notice.
“As we move forward, the needs of our retailers and our community will guide when and how we reopen the center,” the website originally read after the shooting, according to the DMN.
However, that message no longer appears on the mall’s website.
The website continues to state:
“We are horrified by the senseless tragedy at Allen Premium Outlets and are outraged by the violence that continues to plague our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and others affected by this heinous act. We are thankful for the Allen Police Officer’s heroic actions and for the support of all the first responders.”
Simon Property Group is the largest mall operator in the United States, earning approximately $5.29 billion in revenue last year and $2.14 billion in profit.
In the company’s 2022 Annual Report, Simon Property Group specifically mentions mass shootings as an event that could “adversely affect” the business.
“Concern around safety risk may impact the willingness of consumers, tenants and tenants’ employees to shop and/or work at our properties, which could result in decreased consumer traffic and decreased sales at our properties, directly and indirectly impacting our revenue and overall asset value,” said the Simon Property Group.
The property group previously closed down a mall in Indiana last summer when a mass shooting left three dead at one of its properties. The mall closed for two days before being reopened.
