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Eight people died and many more were hurt in the tragic tragedy at Allen Premium Outlets in Texas.
We are discovering more about the victims as the weekend incident’s ashes settle. Learn more about the eight victims of this horrible act of violence by continuing to read.
The Cho family visited Allen Premium Outlets to exchange some clothing that their 6-year-old son William had received four days prior to his birthday. The family was on their way to the H&M store when the shooter started firing.
Parents Cindy and Kyu Cho and their two boys William, 6, and James, 3, made up the family of four. Only William, who is still in the ICU, survived the attack. Attending Prestonwood Christian Academy were the two lads.
The senior pastor of the church, Dr. Jack Graham, remarked, “What a wonderful family. “Three out of the four are in heaven, and a child is left behind.”
The two girls’ names who died in the incident have also been confirmed by Wylie ISD. Both Daniela Mendoza, 11, and Sofia Mendoza, 8, went to Cox Elementary in Sachse.
Cox Elementary principal Krista Wilson called the two school students “rays of sunshine.”
“Daniela and Sofia were the kindest, most thoughtful students with smiles that could light up any room,” said Wilson in a statement. The girls’ mother Ilda Mendoza was also shot but survived and is currently hospitalized.
Aishwarya Thatikonda, a young Indian woman, was another victim. The terrible news was confirmed by Ashok Kolla, a spokesperson for the family. After Thatikonda’s roommates expressed concern over her disappearance, Kolla said he spent Sunday searching for her. She had also turned off her cell phone.
Kolla tried the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office after consulting other acquaintances, the police, and hospitals but was unsuccessful in finding Thatikonda. With a buddy, she had visited Allen Premium Outlets. Although she too was shot, her friend escaped the assault.
“We don’t want to hear the sad news, but unfortunately that’s what it is,” Kolla said. He is currently in the process of trying to transport her body back to India so her family is able to see her one last time and perform burial rites.
“The family is staying thousands of miles from here, and she came here for a better dream,” Kolla said. “Coming to the U.S. is a dream come true for many of our international students, thinking we are going to have a bright future.”
“Painful. It’s everywhere in the media now,” he said. “Until she arrives there, it’s just counting down the days, right? It’s painful.”
Christian LaCour, 20, was another casualty of the shooting. The young man was shot and killed while performing his guard duty at the facility. His mother gave the media confirmation of his passing.
32-year-old Elio Cumana-Rivas from Dallas was the final victim of the shooting.
So many lives were lost and so many people were hurt in the terrible shooting. All those impacted by this tragic occurrence are in our thoughts and prayers.
