Two former Vicksburg residents involved in shooting: One dead, another in ICU

Former Vicksburg native Gloria Strong died following an exchange of weapons fire on Monday. Strong allegedly shot Michael Cooper, also of Vicksburg, in Allen, Texas and attempted to flee. An officer on the scene fired at least one shot at Strong. She later died of wounds sustained in the incident. Cooper was left in critical condition and currently is in an intensive care unit.

The Vicksburg Daily News reached out to the Allen, Texas Police Department to verify the names of the individuals involved in the shooting. They verified both of them as former Vicksburg residents Gloria Marie Strong, 27, and Michael Anthony Cooper, 24.

According to a press release from the Allen, Texas PD, police were called to a 7-Eleven convenience store where a disturbance was supposedly taking place. Before officers arrived, the call was escalated to a weapons call. Police who arrived at the 7-Eleven didn’t find anything at the location and began looking around. Just east of the 7-Eleven, they saw a woman, later identified as Strong, in a Wendy’s parking lot. She was holding a rifle. Officers immediately heard several gunshots.

One account states police saw Strong shooting her gun. An officer pulled out their weapon and shot at Strong. Strong then started running away but soon fell, wounded by gunfire. Soon after, officers found Cooper, armed with a handgun, lying between two vehicles and bleeding out from gunshot wounds.

According to the initial press release, Strong ran away with the rifle at her side and an officer fired at least one shot at her. In the parking lot of the Wendy’s, between two cars, they found Michael Cooper bleeding from his wounds.

Strong reportedly died as a result of her injuries. It is unclear if her wounds were caused by law enforcement or Cooper.

Cooper made it through surgery last night and is currently in ICU in serious condition.

Below is the updated press release from the Allen PD:

Allen, TX (September 28, 2021):  The identities of the male and female involved in yesterday’s deadly disturbance have been confirmed.  The deceased female has been identified as 27-year-old Gloria Marie Strong.  The injured male has been identified as 24-year-old Michael Anthony Cooper.

This is an active investigation that is in its early stages, but we can confirm the following:

While in the parking lot of 601 W. McDermott Drive, both Strong and Cooper were engaged in a heated argument, and both were armed with firearms.  During the argument Strong, while in close proximity to Cooper, discharged her firearm striking him multiple times.  Strong and Cooper were acquaintances, but the reason for the argument has not been determined.

Officers observed Strong discharging her firearm, as well as holding a rifle at her side, and engaged her (firing at least one shot) as she ran east toward an area known for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.  Strong died from wounds received during the incident.  Cooper is in ICU after surviving emergency surgery for his wounds.  Strong’s firearm was found on the ground near where Cooper was located.

The Texas Rangers are conducting an investigation related to the officer-involved shooting.  Further information on this incident will be contingent upon the status of their investigation.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding this incident, we ask that you contact Allen Police Investigator Jody Whitney at 214.509.4253 or email him at jwhitney@cityofallen.org.

Sergeant Jonathan Maness

Public Information Officer

Allen Police Department

214.509.4200

Here is the original press release from Allen, Texas Police:

Allen, TX (September 27, 2021): Tragically, one person has died this afternoon as the result of a disturbance that turned deadly in the parking lot of 601 W. McDermott Dr.

At 2:27 p.m. on Sep. 27, officers were called to a disturbance at 301 Central Expressway South. Before reaching the location, the call was changed to a “weapons call” based on information dispatch call-takers received. When officers arrived at the location, they were unable to locate the disturbance but began looking around the area. In the parking lot of 601 W. McDermott Dr (located one building to the east) officers observed a female holding a rifle at her side and immediately heard several gunshots. Officers rushed to the location as the female, still holding the rifle, began to run east, resulting in an officer firing at least one shot at her.

When officers got to the parking lot, they found a man with gunshot wounds lying between two vehicles, and the female collapsed several feet away. Officers administered first aid to both people, and they were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Sadly, the female died because of her wounds, and the male was rushed into surgery. At the time of this news release, his condition is unknown.

Names of those involved will be withheld until proper notifications can be made to the family. Our deepest condolences are with the victim’s family and friends as they deal with their loss.

The Allen Police Department has asked The Texas Rangers to assist with this investigation, due to an officer firing his weapon. We ask for the community’s cooperation and patience while this investigation takes place. We ask that people avoid the area while we process the scene and gather information. Anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information regarding it to contact the Allen Police Department at 214.509.4200