Allen Premium Outlets will remain closed to shoppers for now following the mass shooting that occurred on the premises last week, but business owners are being allowed access to their stores to begin cleanup efforts.
The area general manager for Simon Property Group, which owns the mall, told local news outlet WFAA via email that the mall would remain closed until all funeral services for the victims have been held and “the healing process has started.” No specific date for opening the mall was given.
The company explained that the decision to remain closed for the present was “out of respect for the victims’ families and everyone else affected by this heinous and senseless act.”
The Dallas Express reached out to property management at the mall for additional information and comment but did not receive any response by publication.
The first funeral service for victims was held Thursday for three members of the Cho family — Kyu, Cindy, and their 3-year-old son James. The couple’s eldest son, 6-year-old William, was injured in the shooting but survived and was released from the hospital on Thursday.
The body of one of the victims, 26-year-old Aishwarya Thatikonda, has been flown back to her family in her home country of India for a traditional Hindu ceremony. She was killed while shopping at the outlet mall for an outfit for her upcoming 27th birthday.
It is unclear when the funeral services for the remaining victims will take place.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, a lone gunman shot and killed eight people, including three children, on May 6 at Allen Premium Outlets.
Police have identified the shooter as Mauricio Garcia, 33. He was shot and killed by an Allen police officer minutes after he started the killing spree that also left seven injured.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is heading the investigation and is searching through Garcia’s digital footprint.