Order photos

Two Cox Elementary students among Allen shooting victims

by | May 8, 2023 | Latest

This article was updated at 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, to include the identities of all victims along with additional fundraising websites.

The impacts of the Saturday, May 6, shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets were felt in a local elementary school, whose two students were among the eight dead and seven wounded.

The incident took place around 3:30 p.m. when Mauricio Garcia, 33, opened fire inside the Allen mall.

Two siblings, second-grader Sofia Mendoza, 8, and fourth-grader Daniela Mendoza, 11, at Cox Elementary School, were killed while their mother, Ilda, remains in critical condition, according to a communication sent out by Wylie ISD Superintendent David Vinson.

“Words cannot express the sadness we feel as we grieve the loss of our students,” Vinson said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and all those affected by this senseless tragedy.”

On Wednesday, May 10, Wylie ISD students have been encouraged to wear yellow, which was the girls’ favorite color, a district announcement said.

The information has been relayed to staff at the school, Vinson’s message said, but children were not notified of the deaths because the district wants to let parents have the conversations with their child.

Wylie ISD’s counseling staff has also promoted material from Supporting Your Child from the Coalition of Grieving Students along with information from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network to assist children affected by traumatic grief.

“We know this news may be triggering for some, and we want to help our students, staff, and families however possible,” Vinson’s message said. “Every school’s counseling team is equipped to support those who may be struggling, so please do not hesitate to reach out.”

Additional counseling resources were made available Monday, May 8, through Tuesday, May 9, according to Executive Director of Communications April Cunningham. More resources will also be made available as needed going forward, she said.

The family has a GoFundMe page that has raised $122,037 as of 9:45 a.m. May 9.

Currently, other victims have been identified as Christian LaCour, 20, a security guard from Nevada, Aishwarya Thatikonda, an engineer from India, Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32,  and Cho Kyu Song, 37, Kang Shin Young, 35, and James, their 3-year-old son. The family’s 6-year-old son, William, survived.

A GoFundMe for the family has raised over $1.3 million as of 9:45 a.m. May 9.

LaCour worked as a security guard at Allen Premium Outlets, according to information released by Allied Universal.

On May 8, the Allen Police Department announced the Community Foundation of Texas was establishing a Support for Allen Fund.

Proceeds from the fundraising effort will be given to area nonprofit organizations providing services, such as mental health and grief counseling and trauma support for victims, their families and first responders. The fund will not make direct payments to any individuals, according to its webpage.

Individuals can visit the dedicated webpage to make a contribution or learn more.

A Family Assistance Center, located at 451 St. Mary Drive in Allen, was open through Wednesday, May 10, although additional hours may be opened. The center was open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 8-10.

Order photos

0 Comments

Subscribe Love

Related News

Outer Loop plans move forward

Outer Loop plans move forward

With the latest public meeting completed, Collin County’s study of two southeastern segments of the proposed Outer Loop is nearing completion, moving the project closer to finalizing its schematic design and environmental review before right-of-way acquisition can...

read more
Sachse council honors young recycling artists

Sachse council honors young recycling artists

Cox Elementary School recycling contest winners: Malek, Malcolm, Bruno, Kate, Delaney and Rilyn, were recognized by Mayor Jeff Bickerstaff at the Sachse City Council meeting. Courtesy Cox Elementary The Sachse City Council took a few minutes Monday night to highlight...

read more
Election Results for Nov. 3, 2026

Election Results for Nov. 3, 2026

Complete, unofficial totals include early voting, ballots by mail and election day balloting U.S. House District 3 Complete, Unofficial 3rd District Totals from all counties: Keith Self (Rep) — 169,243 (52.74%) Evan Hunt (Dem) — 151,667 (47.26%) STATE REPRESENTATIVE...

read more
Collin College marks milestone in Wylie construction

Collin College marks milestone in Wylie construction

Mayor Matthew Porter, center, signs a beam at the Friday, Oct. 24, topping-off ceremony at Collin College. Craig Kelly/City of Wylie Construction of Collin College’s new Workforce Education Center at its Wylie Campus reached a milestone Friday, Oct. 23, with a...

read more
Wylie ISD trustee candidates disclose finance activity

Wylie ISD trustee candidates disclose finance activity

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide four Wylie ISD Board of Trustees races. Election Day voting in Collin County is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Eight candidates are seeking four seats on the Wylie ISD...

read more
Aunt Matilda rises again at Sachse Cemetery

Aunt Matilda rises again at Sachse Cemetery

A model portraying La Catrina, left, poses near Lucy Massey during  her presentation on Día de los Muertos at Aunt Matilda’s Wake, hosted by the Sachse Historical Society Saturday, Oct. 24. Shelley Dowdle./The Sachse News Under a nearly full moon, Sachse...

read more
Voter turnout could hit 70% for this election

Voter turnout could hit 70% for this election

Collin County election officials say early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election was brisk in the first week, but so far not as heavy as the similar periods prior to the November 2022 and 2024 elections.  There had been 214,742 in-person voter...

read more
Congressman told of teenager’s threat, arrest

Congressman told of teenager’s threat, arrest

U.S. Rep. Keith Self says Capitol Police told him the FBI had arrested a McKinney teenager in connection with an alleged threat against the 3rd District congressman.“The Capitol Police contacted me twice with alerts that included the fact that FBI had made an arrest,”...

read more
Subscribe Love