A automobile struck a group of people at a bus stop near a homeless and migrant shelter in the US state of Texas, killing seven people.

The event occurred near the Mexican border in Brownsville about 08:30 local time (14:30 GMT).

At least six more persons were injured, some badly.

The driver was apprehended and charged. According to Brownsville police, it is unclear whether the act was deliberate.

According to earlier US media accounts, police believe it was a planned strike.

Victor Maldonado, director of the neighboring Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, told the BBC World Service’s Newshour program that camera footage showed an SUV running a red light and speeding up to the bus stop.

The truck then collided with the curb and flew nearly 200 feet (60 meters), striking anyone in its path.

Mr. Maldonado stated that about a half-hour before the incident, a group of around 20 persons who had been staying at the center departed and walked over to the bus stop. He had previously told the Associated Press that the majority of the victims were Venezuelan men.

Some had planned to take a local bus downtown to connect with other buses bound for various parts of the United States for which they already had tickets.

“All of us, the staff and myself, we’re trying to hold it together,” Mr Maldonado sobbed.

“A lot of the people here are mothers with children and single men.” They were witnessing a tragedy right in front of their eyes.”

He said that he had not noticed any hatred toward migrants in the city, but is described by KRGV-TV, a local media station, as saying that people had came to the gate since the event and told the security guard that it was “because of us.”