Here’s The Thing

Nightmarish details emerging from the shooting in Allen, Texas yesterday https://t.co/MoRCGxTfG3 pic.twitter.com/xCUdSZTrAP

— Elizabeth Landers (@ElizLanders) May 7, 2023

Or let’s talk about this:

Keith Self, the United States representative for Texas' third congressional district, made a statement shortly after the tragic shooting. The third congressional district encompasses areas north and northeast of Dallas, including Allen. 

"We are devestated by the tragic news of the shootings that took place at the Allen Premium Outlets today. Our prayers are with the victims and their families and all law enforcement on the scene. This is an ongoing situation, but Allen PD has full control of the scene."

Or this:

Spainhouer rushed desparately to aid those wounded and dying after shots rang out a little after 3:30 p.m. May 6. 

He said the victims had such horrific injuries that they had to be loaded into police cars because ambulances would not have gotten them to nearby trauma facilities fast enough.

This:

Governor Greg Abbott said he has been in contact with state and local leaders and has "offered the full support of the State of Texas." 

"Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakbale tragedy. I have been in contact with Mayor Fulk and DPS Director McCraw as well as other state and local leaders and offered the full support of the State of Texas to local officials to ensure all needed assistance and resources are swiftly deployed, including DPS officers, Texas Rangers, and investigative resources."

Or this:

When asked if he thought he saved any lives, Spainhouer said he's not sure, but knows he lost three people. 

He said he raced to the shopping center when his son called to say there had been shots fired outside H&M—the store where he worked. 

"When the multiple shots happened, my heart just dropped," he said. "I was on the phone with 911 and I was telling them we have a mass casualty incident."

This:

Senator Ted Cruz said his team has been in contact with local officials and that he has also offered "whatever support is needed to do justice and help those in need." 

"Heidi and I are praying for the families of the victims of the horrific mall shooting in Allen, Texas. We pray also for the broader Collin County community that's in shock from this tragedy. 

My team is in contact with local officials, and I have offered whatever support is needed to do justice and help those in need. Thank you to the incredible law enforcement who put a stop to the monster who committed this act of evil."

Or this:

Spainhouer said he got there before any first responders and while a handful of people around him recorded videos of the bodies on the ground, he tried to save lives. 

"I never imagined in 100 years I would be thrust into the position of being the first first responder on the site to take care of people," he shared. "The first girl I walked up to was crouched down covering her head in the bushes, so I felt for a pulse, pulled her head to the side and she had no face."

This:

Other state leaders like Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton have also offered their condolences: 

Lt. Gov. Patrick 

"Please join Jan and me in mourning the victims of the unspeakable tragedy in Allen. Please also join us in prayer for the victims' families and friends along with the residents of Allen. We are grateful for our brave first responders who were deployed to stop the shooter and investigate this hideous crime. We are thankful for their bravery and courage."

Or this:

Spainhouer said he also found a child, who survived while covered by his protective mother who had been killed. 

"When I rolled the mother over, he came out. I asked him if he was OK and he said, 'My mom is hurt, my mom is hurt.' So rather than traumatize him, I pulled him around the corner sat him down and he was covered from head to toe...like somebody poured blood on him."

This:

Attorney General Paxton 

"Pray for Allen, Texas. Pray for these families and for law enforcement as they try to apprehend this shooter."

Or this:

Spainhouer said what he witnessed Saturday will haunt him for the rest of his life. 

"No one can see what we saw today and not be affected by it," he said. "It's not a situation I would wish upon anybody, it's just unfathomable to see carnage."

So our leaders make sure they don’t see carnage.

In a press conference Saturday night, State Representative Jeff Leach said a vigil will be held for the victims at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen at 5 p.m. Sunday. Shortly before, he released the following statement: 

"I'm deeply saddened by the horrific events that occurred today at the Allen Premium Outlets, right in the heart of House District 67, and am praying for the victims and all those affected by this horrible tragedy. I returned to Allen from the Capitol and am on site, working with our law enforcement agencies to provide whatever support is needed. I am thankful for the Allen Police Department, the Collin County Sheriff's office, Texas DPS—and all of our law enforcement agencies—for responding heroically, swiftly and for taking immediate action. I will continue to monitor the situation and keep you apprised of information as I receive it."

Or, instead of anodyne pseudo-pastoral care statements from people who don’t have pulpits (or take that “bully pulpit” metaphor far too literally), harsh reality:

Spainhouer's son says two customers inside the H&M store were among those injured. "It's tough when you see a family that's out shopping, having fun, get wiped off the face of the Earth because somebody with a gun has some other type of issue."

Here’s the thing about pastoral care: those offering it are side-by-side with the victims; the mourners; the families. They are not 10,000 feet up, tut-tutting about how unfortunate it must be.

One is dealing with reality; the other is refusing to.