Mauricio Garcia was identified as the suspect in the Allen Outlet Mall, Northern Dallas mass shooting that resulted in nine deaths, including the shooter’s, and several injuries. Several reports suggest the 33-year-old was wearing a ‘Right Wing Death Squad’ RWDS patch – leading to speculation over his motivation.
A video showed Garcia get down from his vehicle at the mall’s parking lot and open fire in front of an H&M store. He was later shot down by a police officer. A picture of the suspect lying dead was shared on social media.
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One of the first theories to come up was from Garcia’s hand tattoo. Social media users suspected that he was from a Texas prison gang, affiliated to the cartel. Reports also suggested that he had a ‘Right Wing Death Squad’ (RWDS) patch on his chest.
Social media users pointed out that the same patch has also been worn by far-right group Proud Boys members.
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Journalist Alejandra Caraballo shared a picture of former Proud Boys member Jeremy Bertino wearing an RWDS patch. He and other group members, including leader Enrique Tarrio, were convicted for seditious conspiracy for their role in the January 6 Capitol attack.
“One of the Proud Boys who pled guilty to seditious conspiracy, Jeremy Bertino, wore the RWDS (right wing death squad) patch that was found on the Allen, Texas shooter. It’s common among Proud Boys to wear it,” Caraballo wrote on Twitter.
Authorities are also investigating whether Garcia was a white supremacist and neo-Nazi, several media reports said.
The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the RWDS phrase is popular with right-wing extremists, and white supremacists. Garcia’s motives have not been established yet.
The Rolling Stone, citing an FBI bulletin, reported that Garcia posted pro-white supremacist and neo-Nazi material on social media.
