I write to you after the tragic and traumatic mass shooting in Allen, Texas in hopes that you will take appropriate action to ensure such travesty never happens again.

It is critical that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) proceeds with 2 investigations expeditiously:
1) the DOJ and federal authorities must investigate the mass shooting in Allen as a racially-motivated crime;
2) the DOJ should also investigate the Texas Department of Public Safety for a pattern of behavior which suggests its investigations may be biased.

Various media outlets have already reported that the suspect, who has been identified by authorities as Mauricio Garcia, may be a neo-Nazi sympathizer. There are also reports that the suspect may have espoused rhetoric against Asian women and men.

Authorities should also keep in mind that the population of Allen is nearly a fifth Asian, and the Allen Premium Outlet - which the suspect targeted- is known for its high percentage of Asian patrons. Further, at least four of the eight people killed during the mass shooting were of Asian descent: 3 were Korean, and 1 was Indian.

Finally, ​the DOJ should investigate the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) because it has exhibited a pattern of concerning behavior, which leads us to believe DPS and local authorities may be unable to conduct impartial investigations - like in Allen, Texas.

In May 2022, when 3 Korean women were shot in a Dallas hair salon, local authorities and DPS immediately dismissed concerns about racially motivated bias as motivation. It was not until after the Asian American community rallied that officials began seriously investigating the Dallas shooting as racially-motivated. The suspect in this shooting was later indicted on hate crimes charges.

We are afraid the same thing is happening once again with this tragic mass shooting in Allen, Texas. So we ask that you take appropriate and swift action.

Thank you!