Family Rebounds After Holiday Shopping Horror: Run Over by Reckless Driver at Mall

KILLEEN, Texas — A high-speed police chase culminated in chaos at the Killeen Mall on Saturday, December 21, injuring several individuals, including a family of four. The suspect, identified as 53-year-old John Darrel Schultz from Kempner, was fatally shot by authorities after driving his vehicle through the shopping center.

The incident began when a Texas state trooper attempted to stop Schultz for erratic driving. The pursuit stretched approximately 19 miles, originating in Belton before ending in the mall’s parking area. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire as the chaotic scene unfolded.

Brezzie Gittens, a local business owner, described the unfolding events. “I heard pop, pop, and I was like, are those gunshots?” she recounted. The violence came as Schultz drove his vehicle into JC Penney, where the Moreno family was shopping for Christmas dresses.

Lesmes Moreno Senior, his wife, daughter, and six-year-old granddaughter Shameris were among those injured. Lesmes Moreno Jr. shared the distressing details of the incident, noting how perilously close they came to serious harm. “My sister got the brunt of it. Her face has multiple fractures, bruised, kind of unrecognizable. Her pelvis is completely just detached,” he stated.

Shameris suffered severe injuries, including a broken collarbone, broken ribs, and ankle fractures, alongside internal bruising affecting her oxygen levels. Despite the extent of their injuries, the Moreno family expressed gratitude for their survival.

“This man drove his vehicle intentionally through a store, and he didn’t stop,” Lesmes Moreno Jr. said. “He was a threat with the truck. That was a deadly weapon.” The family’s resilience has been highlighted by friends, who noted their longstanding commitment to community involvement.

The community has rallied to support the Morenos, establishing a GoFundMe campaign that quickly raised over $33,000 for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. As investigations into the incident continue, the Moreno family and other victims confront the journey ahead, burdened by both physical injuries and emotional trauma.