Toll rises to five in US mall shooting
AUTHORITIES SAY ONLY ONE SHOOTER IN FRIDAY ATTACK AT BURLINGTON’S CASCADE MALL
Police were searching yesterday for a gunman who killed five people during a shooting at a mall in the US state of Washington, amid a raging national debate over gun control.
Four women and one man were killed, police said in an updated toll. The man had been taken to hospital with lifethreatening injuries, but died there, police spokesman Sergeant Mark Francis said.
Authorities say there was only one shooter in Friday night’s attack at Cascade Mall in Burlington, located about 110 kilometres north of Seattle, describing him as a Hispanic male wearing a grey shirt.
Police released a closely cropped still from video surveillance of the young-looking suspect showing only his head and torso, though the full picture, published by local media, showed him holding what appeared to be a rifle.
Gun control debate
The debate over gun control is fierce in the United States, which has been wracked by gun violence. It’s a hot issue on the campaign trail ahead of the November 8 presidential election.
Police received calls around 6:58pm Friday (0058 GMT Saturday) that shots were fired at the mall, Trooper Rick Johnson, another spokesman, told CNN. “Right now, we can’t assume anything. So they’re still interviewing witnesses and trying to get a good idea of exactly what action to take next. We’re just asking people to, obviously, stay away from the area,” he said. “Stay inside and obviously report anything suspicious that they may see.”
The suspect was last seen walking toward a local highway from the mall before police arrived, Francis said on Twitter.
The mall was evacuated, police swarmed the area and medics rushed to the scene after the mall was initially placed on lockdown.
Witnesses told KOMO News that a shooter walked into Macy’s department store and opened fire. Nearby businesses were evacuated, the television station added.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and sniffer dogs were searching for the suspect.