The Salvation Army responds after shooting in Allen, Texas

By: Philip Burn

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services staff and volunteers are providing practical and emotional and spiritual support to first responders and those impacted by the mass shooting in Allen, Texas. Two Salvation Army units and trained staff deployed to the Family Assistance Center that opened on Monday, May 8.

The tragic shooting occurred at Allen Premium Outlets, an outlet center in Allen, Texas, on Saturday, May 6. Nine people were killed, including the perpetrator, who was shot by a police officer already in the area on an unrelated call. Seven were injured and transported to the hospital.

Lt. Marcos Baco, corps officer in Plano, is staffing the Family Assistance Center along with multiple other agencies that will offer mental health services, spiritual care, and possible financial support. The all-volunteer disaster response team from the Lewisville Corps served snacks, drinks and lunch on Monday from the mobile kitchen.

"We have been providing food for the FBI and other first responders in addition to workers from the City of Allen, Life Path, and the American Red Cross, all here to support those impacted by the shooting," said Lt. Baca. "We are also providing transportation from the Family Assistance Center to the outlet mall for those needing to retrieve their vehicles. The latest estimate is there were as many as 1,300 cars remaining in the locked down area of the parking lot through the weekend."

The Family Assistance Center is tentatively scheduled to remain open through Wednesday and The Salvation Army has plans in place to serve dinner on Monday and lunch on Tuesday.

"The Salvation Army is privileged to serve in any way possible during this difficult time and of course our prayers go out to all who have been directly impacted by this tragedy. We work and live in this community and so this hits particularly close to home for us," Lt. Baca said. "The Salvation Army will be here to serve for as long as we are needed."