The suspected gunman who killed eight folks and injured at the very least seven others in an Allen, Texas, mall capturing Saturday was separated from the Army after three months, in line with a service spokesperson. He by no means accomplished preliminary entry coaching.
The Texas Division of Security, which is conducting the investigation into the capturing, recognized 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia because the gunman who opened fireplace on the outlet mall simply north of Dallas.
Garcia joined the army in June 2008 and was separated that very same fall underneath a chapter that features “designated bodily or psychological situations,” in line with a service spokesperson talking on background.
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“He was not awarded a army occupational specialty. He had no deployments or awards,” an Army public affairs spokesperson informed Army.com by way of electronic mail Monday. “We don’t present characterization of discharge for any soldier.”
Rolling Stone reported Sunday that the FBI reviewed Garcia’s social media accounts, which revealed “lots of of postings and pictures to incorporate writings with racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist rhetoric, together with neo-Nazi supplies and materials espousing the supremacy of the white race,” citing an FBI bulletin.
Garcia was additionally reportedly sporting a patch with the letters “RWDS,” or “proper wing demise squad,” which is in style amongst extremists encouraging violence. The FBI bulletin mentioned that Garcia was discharged particularly for “psychological well being issues,” Rolling Stone reported.
Army.com has not independently reviewed the bulletin. CNN and The Related Press additionally reported that legislation enforcement companies are probing Garcia’s alleged extremist historical past.
A spokesperson for the Dallas FBI Subject Workplace informed Army.com that officers “aren’t commenting but on any of the knowledge being reported” after Army.com particularly requested concerning the particulars revealed by Rolling Stone.
“That data is a part of a confidential legislation enforcement report that was leaked to the media,” mentioned Melinda Urbina, a public affairs officer. “Our coverage is to not touch upon our intelligence merchandise.”
Garcia was killed on the scene by a close-by Allen police officer who responded to the decision.
It was the second deadliest mass capturing this yr in line with CNN and occurred almost a yr after one of many state’s deadliest mass shootings at a Uvalde, Texas, elementary college.
— Drew F. Lawrence might be reached at drew.lawrence@army.com. Observe him on Twitter @df_lawrence.
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