Police shut down a Texas Democratic congresswoman’s town hall Saturday afternoon due to the report of a nearby active shooter.
Rep. Veronica Escobar was about an hour into her event taking place in El Paso when she was informed of the situation.
Escobar announced the event needed to be shut down due to an active shooter. After some attendees perked up in alarm, someone on stage had a quick word with Escobar, and she quickly added that the shooter was reported to be elsewhere, at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall.
People in the audience laughed as Escobar repeatedly apologized.
On Twitter, police warned people to stay away from the area.
Active Shooting Stay away from Cielo Vista Mall Area. Scene is Still Active.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
A follow-up tweet said there are reports of multiple shooters and police were conducting a sweep of “a very large area.”
Scene is still Active. We have multi reports of multiple shooters. Please avoid area police conducting search of a very large area. Media staging will be given when area is secure.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
Local reports said up to 18 people had been shot and police later said they had one suspect in custody.
Escobar later tweeted she is “heartbroken” by the news and is keeping in close contact with local law enforcement.
Utterly heartbroken by the developing news in El Paso. Monitoring the situation and in communication with our law enforcement. Please stay safe.
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 3, 2019
Escobar represents Texas’ 16th Congressional District. She replaced Beto O’Rourke, who failed to unseat Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 and is now running for president.
