Eight people died, and many more were hurt in the tragedy at Allen Premium Outlets in Texas. As the weekend incident’s ashes settle, we discover more about the victims.
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 before 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 church’s senior pastor, Dr. Jack Graham, remarked, “What a wonderful family. Three of the four are in heaven, and a child is left behind.”
Wylie ISD has also confirmed the two girls’ names who died in the incident. Daniela Mendoza, 11, and Sofia Mendoza, 8, went to Cox Elementary in Sachse.
Cox Elementary Principal Krista Wilson referred to the two youngsters as “rays of sunshine.”
“Daniela and Sofia were the kindest, most thoughtful students with smiles that could light up any room,” Wilson said. Ilda Mendoza, the girl’s mother, was also shot but is receiving medical attention.
Aishwarya Thatikonda, a young Indian woman, was another victim. Ashok Kolla, a spokesperson for the family, confirmed the terrible news. 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.
Kolla stated, “We don’t want to hear the bad news, but that’s what it is. He attempts to return her body to India so that her family can say their final goodbyes and complete the funeral rites.”
Kolla stated, “The family is staying hundreds of kilometers away, and she moved here for a better dream. For many of our international students, coming to the United States is a dream come true, thinking we are going to have a bright future,”
“Painful. It’s currently all over the news, he said. It’s simply a matter of counting the days until she arrives, right? It is hurtful.”
Christian LaCour, 20, was another casualty of the shooting. The young man was shot and killed while guarding the facility. His mother gave the media confirmation of his passing.
Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32, of Dallas was the incident’s last casualty.
So many lives were lost, and many people were hurt in the terrible shooting. All those impacted by this tragic occurrence are in our thoughts and prayers.
