A gunman opened fire in a crowded mall north of Seattle, killing three people and critically wounding another before fleeing Friday night, authorities said.
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.
Authorities say the motive was unknown.
The deadly shooting happened at the Macy’s store at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, about 97 kilometres north of Seattle. Francis said three females were killed, one male suffered life-threatening injuries and another female suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities had previously said four people were killed but updated the number of fatalities after they were able to secure the scene.
Governor Jay Inslee said tragedy had struck the state. “We urge residents to heed all safety and detour warnings. Stay close to your friends and loved ones as we await more information and, hopefully, news of the suspect’s capture,” Inslee said in a statement.
Federal authorities are responding to a deadly mall shooting in Washington state.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives said Friday night it was deploying to Burlington, Washington, after authorities said four people were killed at the Cascade Mall.
The Cascade Mall is an enclosed shopping mall that opened in 1990, according to the mall’s website. It features J C Penney, TJ Maxx, and Macy’s stores, among other stores, restaurants and a movie theater.
On September 17 a man stabbed 10 people at a Minnesota mall before being shot and killed by an off-duty police officer. Authorities say Dahir Ahmed Adan, 20, stabbed the people at the Crossroads Center in St Cloud, Minnesota.
