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McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez told reporters that the man, identified as Ryan Louis Mosqueda, had an assault rifle and was wearing a utility vest when he began shooting near the federal facility around 5:50 a.m.
Rodriguez said, “He fired dozens of rounds. Federal agents at the scene returned fire.” The building is located across the road from McAllen International Airport, which was temporarily closed as a safety measure.
Authorities later found another rifle, more ammunition, and backpacks near the scene. Mosqueda’s reason for the attack is still unknown, Rodriguez told AP.
One officer was hurt during the incident, but it’s not yet clear if the injury was caused by a bullet or flying debris.
Mosqueda reportedly drove to the location in a white two-door car. Chief Rodriguez noted that something was written on the vehicle, possibly in Latin, but added, “What it means, or whether it is connected to the attack, I do not know.”
Although Mosqueda had an address in Michigan, he had been reported missing from Weslaco, Texas — a town around 20 miles from McAllen just after 4 a.m. on the same morning.
“An hour and a few minutes later, he was at this particular location opening fire on the federal building and our federal agents,” Rodriguez said, as quoted by AP.
Police did not immediately share details about who filed the missing person report or what the circumstances were. Rodriguez said the FBI will now take over the investigation.
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