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Witness recalls the terrifying moment a truck plowed into a Killeen shopping center, sending several people to the hospital

Witness recalls the terrifying moment a truck plowed into a Killeen shopping center, sending several people to the hospital

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – On Saturday night, 53-year-old John Darrel Schultz drove his truck into the JC Penney’s at the Killeen mall while being pursued by authorities.

According to Texas DPS, Schultz ran over four people and injured another before being shot and killed, leaving many Killeen residents in shock.

Resident Martin Alexander says his wife was at the mall just hours earlier.

“I mean, I’ve heard things from all over the states, but I never thought it would actually happen in Killeen,” he shared.

According to Texas DPS Sgt. Bryan Washko, it all started after a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper tried to stop the truck in Belton.

“It was called in as a possible DWI driver,” says Sgt. Washko said, “the driver failed to yield the right of way to the trooper and continued”.

When they reached Killeen, the driver left the highway, which witness Catherine Dedden caught on video.

She says she had a bad feeling as soon as she saw the driver pull into the Killeen Mall parking lot, which was filled with holiday shoppers.

“When we turned around and he came into the parking lot, I was…I was praying, I was begging the Lord please don’t let him kill anybody,” Dedden said.

She and her husband decided to follow to see what would happen, but could never have expected what they saw next.

“We saw the truck had gone through the store,” explained Dedden, “the glass had been knocked over, we couldn’t see the vehicle and I knew it was bad”.

“The trooper and the Killeen police officer continued on foot following this vehicle, which was driving through the store and actively running people over,” said Sgt. Washko said, “he traveled several hundred yards.”

That’s when authorities shot and killed the driver.

“We had DPS, the Killeen Police Department and three other local agencies, off-duty officers who were at the Killeen Mall, who neutralized the suspect and prevented him from injuring or possibly killing more people,” said Sgt. Washko explained.

Dedden, who stood outside and watched as people rushed out the other exit, says she saw the most heartbreaking sight.

“There was a police officer carrying a little child and she had blood visible and … he held her down and put her in the ambulance,” Dedden recalled.

Earlier today, Sgt. Washko confirmed that this little girl was the worst of the injuries, but that everyone is currently stable.

In a Facebook post from the Killeen mall, they shared that “our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees and guests, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families involved. As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further.” .

“Luckily he was stopped when he stayed because it could have been so much worse,” Sgt. Washko shared.

The Killeen Mall reopened today and will return to normal holiday hours starting tomorrow. The incident is being investigated by the Texas Rangers with DPS as lead agency.