Following Saturday’s lethal taking pictures at Allen Premium Retailers, officers confirmed eight folks had been killed.

On Sunday, the household of Christian LaCour confirmed the 20-year-old Farmersville resident was amongst these eight victims. LaCour’s father informed NBC 5 he was working as a safety guard on the shops on the time of the taking pictures.

On Tuesday, Allen Chief of Police Brian Harvey mentioned LaCour evacuated one particular person from the taking pictures earlier than he was shot by the gunman.

Andria Gaither, assistant supervisor on the mall’s Tommy Hilfiger retailer, mentioned she was devastated to be taught that one of many useless was LaCour, who she mentioned beforehand labored on the clothes retailer and sometimes stopped in to speak. Gaither herself had run for her life when photographs rang out.

Just some nights earlier, she had referred to as LaCour when a buyer needed to return inside after hours. He got here and requested the person to depart, then supplied a safety escort to her and two teenage workers.

“He needed us to really feel secure,” Gaither mentioned.

“I am simply in shock,” she added. “He was very younger, very candy, got here in on a regular basis to go to with us.”

NBC 5 Information

In a social media put up, LaCour’s grandmother Sandra Montgomery referred to as the 20-year-old “a lovely soul… with targets for his future.”

“My stunning grandson, Christian LaCour, was the safety guard killed within the taking pictures at Allen, Texas. He was such a lovely soul, 22 years outdated with targets for his future. I used to be so happy with him and so glad I received to see him two weeks in the past. Please pray for my household … they’re very shut and I do know that is nearly insufferable,” she wrote.

One other member of the family wrote, “There’ll endlessly be a void.”

The Farmersville ISD mentioned LaCour was a graduate and prolonged prayers to his household.

They mentioned LaCour was remembered as a genuinely sort particular person, a devoted pupil and an exquisite buddy. Their whole assertion is beneath.

“We’re heartbroken by the tragic and mindless taking pictures in Allen, Texas, that claimed the lifetime of one in all our Farmer graduates, Christian LaCour. Our ideas, prayers, and condolences exit to his household. Christian was often known as a genuinely sort particular person. He was a devoted pupil who loved studying and asking thought-provoking questions. Christian was an exquisite buddy and a very good pupil who fellow college students and FISD workers members cherished. When there’s a tragedy of this magnitude, the whole Farmersville ISD Group feels the ache. Please be part of us in persevering with to wish for Christian’s household, mates, and all those that are feeling his absence. Please know that we’re right here for every one in all you, and our Farmersville counselors can be found for workers and pupil assist,” the district mentioned.

Allied Common, LaCour’s employer, mentioned although his dying was the results of unnecessary violence, he died in sacrifice and repair to others.

“We prolong our deepest sympathies to the household and mates of Christian LaCour, our safety skilled who was tragically killed whereas defending the shoppers and workers of the Allen Premium Retailers,” the corporate mentioned. “Our ideas exit to the victims, their family members and the group of Allen.”

Allied Common mentioned all different safety professionals assigned to the mall are secure and are being supplied grief counseling and extra assist.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CHRISTIAN LACOUR SCHEDULED

LaCour’s household mentioned his Celebration of Life service will likely be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Might 15 at Cottonwood Creek Church.

“Christian was all about consolation and inspiring others to precise their true selves. Due to this fact we ask that those that attend gown in denims and a T-shirt from their favourite musical or band, film or cartoon, ebook, online game, Sci-Fi, fantasy, comedian ebook or anime as these are the issues that introduced our son pleasure,” the household mentioned.

The household mentioned his favourite colours have been pink and black, although they requested folks to keep away from sporting all black as a result of his service was a celebration of his life.

With the outpouring of assist for the victims of the mass taking pictures on the Allen Premium Retailers, GoFundMe has launched a centralized hub for all verified fundraisers associated to the taking pictures. The net fundraising platform mentioned it was working across the clock to make it possible for all funds donated go on to survivors or the households of victims.

Related Press writers Jamie Stengle, Vanessa A. Alvarez and Rebecca Reynolds contributed to this report.