Suspect still at-large following Vancouver Mall shooting
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The shooter is still at large following the shooting at Vancouver Mall on Halloween Night.
Police responded to the mall Thursday night around 7:30 p.m. after reports of gunfire and learned that someone in the food court had opened fire, killing one person and sending two others to the hospital, all during a family trick-or-treating event in the mall.
Members of the SWAT Team responded to the mall, and employees and people in the mall were ordered to shelter in place, officials said.
Later, officials cleared the mall saying there was no active threat, and allowed those sheltering to leave.
One witness shared their account of the shooting with KOIN 6 News, describing the panic as gunshots rang out in the mall.
“Terrifying. The most terrifying thing that I’ve ever seen .. very scary,” the woman said. “It happened so fast. There’s a lot of kids here tonight. That was my first thought. I saw dozens and dozens of kids trick or treating in the mall. I was scared for them. I could hear kids crying everywhere, kids screaming. One girl saying, ‘I don't want to die, I don't want to die.’ She was probably 8 years old.”
According to authorities, the suspect in the shooting is still outstanding and possibly armed.
No details about the suspect have been released, but authorities said they are going through surveillance tapes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Vancouver police.