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Timeline of Mass Shooting Response Released

Mass Shooting Response
Makeshift memorial outside of the Allen Outlet Mall | Image by Andrew Norsworthy/The Dallas Express

The Allen fire chief has released his department’s Post-Incident Analysis Report of the EMS response to the mass shooting last month at Allen Premium Outlets. It reveals the confusion and chaos on the scene, as well as the bravery of those who rushed in to assist the victims.

The report was based on notes entered into the dispatch system, vehicle GPS data, radio traffic, and interviews with individuals who were on the scene. By reviewing the data from these sources, the department was able to construct a timeline of events, beginning with the first call to 9-1-1 reporting the shooting at 3:36 p.m. on May 6.

On that busy Saturday, a heavily armed former security guard entered Allen Premium Outlets and randomly opened fire on shoppers. The shooter was fortunately neutralized by law enforcement minutes after the onslaught began, but not before taking the lives of eight people — including three young children — and wounding seven others, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

According to the Allen Fire Department timeline, within one minute of receiving the first call, a medic unit was assigned, and within another minute, it was en route to the scene. A minute later, another medic unit was assigned, and then a fire truck was dispatched.

Fire department units and EMS from Allen and surrounding areas, including Fairview, McKinney, Frisco, Lucas, Plano, Princeton, and Prosper, all responded to the scene.

By 3:49 p.m., the first wounded patient was being treated by the paramedic, and by 3:53, the individual was on the way to the hospital, arriving there at 3:56. Within 50 minutes, all the victims who could be helped had been transported to the hospital.

The 66-page report reveals where the victims were found in the shopping center and details their various gunshot wounds.

In addition to dealing with gunshot wounds, the medical personnel also assisted a patient exhibiting signs of a possible heart attack or panic attack and a person who was feeling faint.

Allen Fire Department Chief Jonathan Boyd told CBS News that commanding staff had been attending a funeral nearby for a McKinney Fire Department captain when emergency calls began to arrive. Nearly all of the staff was able to respond immediately.

Emergency personnel had initially believed that there were two shooters on site, with reports of a shooter being present at the Sunglass Hut and a hostage situation at Bath & Body Works. However, it was later confirmed that there was only one shooter at the scene.

“Because of how chaotic the scene was, we had to look at GPS logs, do interviews, look at our computer dispatch systems to try and figure out when exactly everything happened,” said Boyd, according to CBS News.

Fire Chief Boyd said that the Allen police and fire departments have been training for such a situation since 2018.

“There is no question that the entire public safety and medical community came together on this tragic day, implementing plans and training that has gone on quietly for years,” Boyd said.

Dr. Kevin Hoffman, the medical director of the Allen Fire Department, said in a news release, “Every recoverable victim was saved. If it were not for the training police and fire personnel had, I don’t think we would have been as fortunate.”

He added that before the paramedics arrived, police officers on the scene used tactical combat medical techniques to stop the blood loss from the victims’ wounds.

However, the report does not include any specific information relating to the law enforcement response or give details relating to the ongoing investigation into the shooting.

Boyd said that he is proud of the response by the EMS and fire departments.

“The team performed with bravery and heroism because they were going into what they thought was a dangerous situation and there was no hesitation,” said Boyd, according to CBS News.

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