Authorities in El Paso, Texas, told people to stay away from the area of the Cielo Vista shopping mall due to an "active shooter."
ADVERTISEMENTAn active shooter near the area of a shopping mall in El Paso is drawing a response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
NBC affiliate KTSM in El Paso reports that 18 people were shot and that the extent of injuries is unknown.
El Paso police tweeted at about noon local time that they have "reports of multiple shooters."
The police tweeted that the shooter was in the area of Hawkins and Gateway East boulevards, which is the location of a Walmart.
"Scene is still active avoid the area," the department wrote.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, was an hour into a town hall meeting at Coronado High School 15 miles from the mall, when she abruptly had to end the event because of the shooting.
“You all, I am so sorry,” she said. “There is an active shooter. We are going to need to clear the event.”
The crowd gasped in response and began to move, according to the congresswoman’s Facebook Live video.
“Oh, it’s at Cielo Vista,” Escobar quickly clarified before apologizing for not being clearer.“We’ve been asked by law enforcement to just send everybody home,” she said.
Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke of El Paso urged residents in El Paso to "stay safe."
"Truly heartbreaking," he wrote in a tweet. "Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates."
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene to assist the El Paso Police Department.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.