A single Hispanic male walked into the Macy’s department store in Burlington, Washington’s Cacade Mall a short time ago and murdered four people before simply walking away.
At least four people have been fatally injured in a shooting at Cascade Mall, the Washington State Patrol says.
The shooter has not been caught, and was last seen walking towards Interstate 5, away from the mall, Sgt. Francis with WSP tells KOMO News.
Active shooter description: Hispanic male wearing grey. Last seen walking towards I5 from Cascade Mall burlington.
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) September 24, 2016
This is bizarre behavior if this is a random mass murderer, as they typically continue their assaults until they are either confronted, or they commit suicide.
4 confirmed deceased in the mall, shooter(s) left scene b4 police arrived, unknown # of shooter, possibly just 1, police clearing mall now
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) September 24, 2016
We’ll update when we have more information.
Here is the shooter. We believe just one shooter. Notify authorities if you see him. Armed with rifle. pic.twitter.com/GXeWCPYnx5
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) September 24, 2016
Emergency management has released security camera footage of a man they believe to be the suspect.
The quality of the image is horrible, but the profile is that of a very small light rifle, something along the lines of a Marlin Model 60 or Ruger 10/22.
Update: An additional victim has died.
Washington State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Mark Francis said police were searching for a Hispanic man wearing black and armed with a rifle who was last seen walking toward Interstate 5 near the Cascade Mall in Burlington.
“Stay indoors, stay secure,” Francis said at a news conference.
The male victim was airlifted to a Seattle hospital with critical injuries. Washington State Patrol Trooper Heather Axtman told “Fox & Friends” Saturday morning that the man had died.
Authorities initially said four people were killed, then said three were dead, before revising the number again late Friday. Francis said the number fluctuated as authorities searched the 434,000-square-foot mall. The sergeant said the victims were shot in the makeup department of the mall’s Macy’s store at approximately 7 p.m. local time.
Authorities released a surveillance image of the suspect walking through the store and holding a rifle. Francis said police did not know the gunman’s motive and could not say whether he targeted the victims. He said the ages of the victims appeared to range from their 20s to elderly, but had no further identifying information.
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