A deadly shooting on Tuesday afternoon in a busy suburban Portland mall, left 3 people dead including the masked gunman, and wounded a 15-year old girl. Police officials are slated to release the identity to the killer and the 2 victims at noon EST today.
Holiday shoppers and mall workers were traumatized after a man wearing what appeared to be a hockey mask opened fire with a rifle at the crowded Clackamas Town Center in the Portland suburb of Happy Valley. Police say the killer had no specific person he was targeting, but head it was a random attack on innocent people.
More than 10,000 shoppers were inside the mall at the time, officials said.
The girl wounded is Kristina Shevchenk and her name was released by the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital on authorization of her family.
"The family is doing OK," Shevchenko's brother, Yevgeniy, said. He said his sister was 15 years old and declined further comment.
In a Facebook posting Tuesday night, Yevgeniy Shevchenko said: "As of now she is stable and sleeping. the bullet went through bruising her lung, it missed any vital organs and it missed her ribs. she will need 2 more operations. we appreciate any and all support including your prayers! thank you."
The mall has about 185 stores and a 20-screen movie theater. Anchor tenants also include Nordstrom and J.C. Penney. Authorities said the mall would remain closed Wednesday while the shooting is investigated.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a Macy's employee said the gunman wore a white mask and body armor as he ran through the department store and into the mall's central court. He carried a rifle.
"He was trying to get to the mall to do a mall massacre," Patty said. "It didn't seem like he wanted anything to do with" the department store.
Before the gunman finished saying, "I am the shooter," Patty said, "the shots took over."