The posts by Mauricio Garcia, whom authorities have identified as the gunman, on a Russian social networking site suggest the 33-year-old had been planning the attack for weeks before he stepped out of a silver sedan and opened fire Saturday.
Protesters gather at the Texas State Capitol to call for tighter regulations on gun sales in Austin, Texas, Monday, May 8, 2023. A gunman killed eight people at a Dallas-area mall Saturday.DALLAS — The man accused of killing eight people and wounding several others in a mass shooting at a suburban Dallas shopping mall researched when it was busiest and posted photos on social media in mid-April of a store near where he ultimately started his attack.
The activity added to a picture that was emerging Monday of the gunman, who was discharged from the Army in 2008 because of mental health issues and apparently had been working as a security guard, according to neighbors and an Army official.Aric Toler, director of training and research at the international research collective bellingcat.com, said he identified Garcia’s profile on the site OK.RU by searching for active accounts with his birthdate located in the U.S.
In addition to reviewing social media posts, federal agents have interviewed family members and associates of Garcia to ask about his ideological beliefs, the official said. Investigators are also reviewing financial records, other online posts they believe Garcia made and other electronic media, according to the official.
He received an “uncharacterized” discharge, which is common for recruits who don’t make it through training or the first 180 days, according to a defense official who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues. That type of discharge — which is not dishonorable — would not set off red flags or require any reports to law enforcement.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Feds probing whether Texas mall shooter Mauricio Garcia held neo-Nazi viewsInvestigators are looking at his financial records and online posts they believe Garcia made, the official said.
Read more »
Feds Eye Neo-Nazi Extremism in Texas Massacre by Ex-GuardMauricio Garcia, 33, reportedly posted and consumed neo-Nazi content online before his mall rampage.
Read more »
Posts show mall gunman researched attack, had Nazi tattoosThe man accused of killing eight people and wounding several others in a mass shooting at a suburban Dallas shopping mall researched when it was busiest and posted photos on social media in mid-April of a store near where he ultimately started his attack
Read more »
Investigators examine ideology of Texas gunman in deadly mall shootingAuthorities have been reviewing social media accounts they believe Mauricio Garcia used and posts that showed interest in white supremacist and neo-Nazi views, according to an official.
Read more »
Investigators reviewing social media posts, examining ideology of gunman who killed 8 at Texas mallFederal agents have been reviewing social media accounts they believe were used by Mauricio Garcia, 33, and posts that expressed interest in white supremacist and neo-Nazi views, an official said.
Read more »
Investigators reviewing social media posts, examining ideology of gunman who killed 8 at Texas mallFederal agents have been reviewing social media accounts they believe were used by Mauricio Garcia, 33, and posts that expressed interest in white supremacist and neo-Nazi views, an official said.
Read more »