Shooting rampage at Clackamas mall leaves 3 dead, including shooter
CLACKAMAS, Ore. – A gunman opened fire Tuesday in a busy Clackamas shopping center, leaving the shooter and two others dead and forcing the mall's Santa Claus and hundreds of Christmas shoppers and employees to flee or hide among store displays.
The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. at the Clackamas Town Center. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office immediately received a flurry of 9-1-1 calls and dispatched deputies to the scene where they divided up into small teams to track down the shooter.
The gunman shot and killed two people and critically injured a third person before turning the gun on himself, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. James Rhodes told reporters outside the mall. He added that no deputies fired their weapons during the incident.
At a news conference later in the evening, Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts said responding officers handled the situation admirably.
"I'm really proud of all the different agencies that came together to really step up and put their lives on the line," he said, adding that there were law enforcement officers at the mall minutes after the first reports of shots. Four SWAT teams were quickly deployed, Roberts said, to "basically hunt down this guy in the mall."
At the height of the terror, over 100 officers from nearly every government agency - from the city to the federal levels - responded. Deputies searched the mall room by room looking for anyone who might be injured or hiding. By 6:30 p.m. they had searched almost the entire building. "We will search this mall until we are certain it is secure and everyone has been removed," Rhodes said at the time.
At this point, investigators have not yet released any details about the suspect or two victims who were killed. All they have said is that the shooter was an adult male.
The victim who survived is Kristina Shevchenko and she is in "serious" condition, according to Oregon Health & Science University, where she is being treated. Her age was not specified.
Shevchenko was hit several times by gunfire and arrived at the hospital between 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., roughly two hours after the shooting began. Doctors did not say exactly how many gunshot wounds she suffered or where those wounds are located.
"We have a young lady in the hospital fighting for her life right now," Roberts said on Tuesday.
Wednesday morning, a note regarding the shooting was posted on the Clackamas Town Center's Facebook page:
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was in the mall at the time of this unfortunate incident. We are grateful to have the stellar support of all the law enforcement agencies and rescue personnel in the area, who immediately took action and continue to ensure the safety of everyone remaining at the property. The mall will remain closed tomorrow, Wednesday, December 12.
Governor Kitzhaber ordered flags at public institutions to be immediately lowered to half staff on Wednesday in honor of the shooting victims. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and their friends during this very difficult time,” Governor Kitzhaber said in an email. “I would also like to thank the first responders and the many citizens who helped protect those at risk.”
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is asking any witnesses or anyone with information about the shooting to call them at 503-723-4949 or go to this web page to submit a tip.
WITNESSES DESCRIBE THE SCENE
Holly Bautista
Holly Bautista, 28, said she was shopping at Macy's for a Christmas dress for her daughter when she heard pops that sounded like firecrackers.
"I heard people running and screaming and saying 'Get out, there's somebody shooting," she said.
Bautista said hundreds of shoppers and mall employees started running, and she and dozens of other people were trying to escape through a department store exit.
Anna Canzano
KATU Reporter Anna Canzano said her husband, Oregonian sports columnist John Canzano, was pulling up to the mall when the shooting happened. He said people reported hearing around 60 shots from the food court.
Kris Kringle
A man who has played Santa at the mall for 11 years said he heard more than a dozen shots that were clearly from a semi-automatic weapon.
"I hit the floor inside the set and fortunately there weren't too many kids or people in the set area," said the man, who would only give his name as 'Kris Kringle.'
David Moran
Austin Patty
Austin Patty, 20, who works at Macy's, said he saw a man in a white mask carrying a rifle and wearing a vest. He said he heard the gunman say "I am the shooter," as if announcing himself.
Police later clarified the suspect was not wearing a bulletproof vest.
A series of rapid-fire shots in short succession followed as Christmas music played. Patty said he ducked to the ground and then ran.
Amber Tate
Amber Tate said she was coming out of Macy’s and standing by her car when she spotted a gunman who looked like a teenager.
Tate, who didn't hear any shots fired, said at first she thought the gunman was wearing a paintball vest.
"But then I saw all these people running out screaming and people grabbing their kids and crying and trying to get into their cars as fast as they could," she said.
Nadia Teleguz
Nadia Teleguz, who was in the mall at the time of the shooting, said a family friend was shot by the gunman.
"My friend's sister got shot," Teleguz said. "She's on her way to OHSU. They're saying she got shot in her side and so it's not life-threatening, so she'll be OK."
As of Tuesday evening, the woman was listed in stable condition at the hospital.
Marin Torres, Jr.
Evan Walters
An employee at a store in the mall, Evan Walters, was locked inside a store with about 10 others just a few feet away from where the shooting happened. Walters said at least 20 shots were fired.
"It was kind of surreal because we hear pops and loud noises all the time because we're right here by the food court, but it's never been anything like that,” he said. “It was very definite gun shots. I think most all of us knew it was gunshots. There really was no rhyme or reason to them. There were many in a row."
Walters said he saw two people who had been shot and killed. He and other store employees brought out sheets from the store to place over the victims.
"Everyone's just trying to stick together and be as calm as possible for people ... I don't know what else to say,” Walters said. “It's just kind of scary. We're just trying to be as strong as we can and hopefully we'll be out of this as soon as possible."
Shaun Wik
Shaun Wik, 20, from Fairview, said he was Christmas shopping with his girlfriend and opened a fortune cookie at the food court. Inside was written: "Live for today. Remember yesterday. Think of tomorrow." As he read it, he heard three shots and a man he believes was the gunman shout, "Get down!"
Wik and his girlfriend ran and he heard seven or eight more shots. He didn't turn around.
"If I had looked back, I might not be standing here," he said. "I might have been one of the ones who got hit."
THE HEROES
"We had some true heroes stepping up," Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts said during a news conference nearly five hours after the first shots were reported at the Clackamas Town Center.
Some emergency room nurses and a physician were at the mall when the gunfire erupted, and they immediately went to work to provide care to the wounded, he said. Others, including everyday citizens, also worked to help get the 10,000 people out of the mall.
IN THE AFTERMATH
Witnesses still sought
Lt. Rhodes said anyone who witnessed the shooting should get in contact with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office by calling (503) 655-8211.
Mall information
The Clackamas Town Center will be closed on Wednesday. Clackamas Town Center management said they plan to post information for stores, employees and shoppers on their website. They will also post information so people who left belongings in the mall can retrieve them.
TriMet information
TriMet service will be impacted on Wednesday.
- MAX Green Line riders will need to board or de-board trains at the Southeast Fuller Road MAX station.
- Riders will not be allowed into the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center MAX Station. The parking garage at the transit center will also be closed.
- Parking spaces will be limited at the Fuller Road Park & Ride. Riders should use the Holgate Blvd. or Powell Blvd. Park & Rides.
- The 10 TriMet bus lines that service the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and other bus stops in the mall's parking lot will continue to be detoured. The buses will serve temporary stops on Monterey Avenue, near the parking lot entrance by the movie theater, and at the Fuller Street MAX Station. The lines being detoured are: 28, 29, 30, 31, 71, 72, 79, 152, 155 and 156.
Interior map of the Clackamas Town Center
Hey, how about a mention of the CCW holder who may have prevented more deaths by ignoring the gun free zone. Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58p1X-yOWy8Â
@Michael Shaw he did the right thing. He wasn't sure of his shot. No one could or should fault him for his decision. Unquestionably the right decision was made.
When seconds count, cops are minutes away. Â Criminals dont follow gun laws!
Here we go again, another shooting in a place where law abiding citizens are not allowed to have their guns. These shootings always, always, always happens in a gun free zone.Â
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It's time for a new law. Any establishment that can accomodate more than a set amount of people, is not allowed to regulate lawful firearms unless they are willing to provide adequate armed security. Armed security would have taken this nut out as soon as he was spotted/reported in the Macys, and long before the police could ever get there.
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People wake up, stop thinking you can live in a world where bad things never happen. The police cannot protect you, the government cannot protect you. When SECONDS count, the police are MINUTES away.Â
not to mention the Supreme Court has made it very clear that the job of the police is NOT to protect the public.
Get off your computers and get off your phones and go see you friends face to face. They may need to see you so the can vent about something or just really talk. It could also be the last time you really get to talk to them, you just never know.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the 2 families of the victims who died. I am so sorry for the loss they are feeling and all the questions they must have. The first would be How could this happen and then why. I cant imagine. My thoughts and prayers are also with those injured and their families as well. We can argue gun rights for years but until we all start caring about others again this is going to keep happening. We have gotten to a place where we have turned into a me society. If you don't think so just look around at drivers on the freeway or the car that doesn't even slow down at the stop sign. The lady walking with a cell phone on her ear telling everyone her personal business. The store clerk who refuses to make eye contact or the shopper who berates the clerk because the sale ended last week. We make excuses for everything yet never take responsibility. We have to change. As the holidays approach we may give money or items to charities but never give of ourselves. We have to change. We have to value life. Our lives and the lives of those around us. We have to do this everyday not just during a traumatic event.
Sadly this seemed to happen too fast for anything to really react with anything other then terror and run.  I am very much for CONTROL of weapons. There is no reason for ANYONE to own an AK47 or those military type weapons. You don't take your AK47 deer hunting, it is there for show or to hurt someone. Hey look my gun is bigger then your gun. BUT in todays world it is becoming a nessicary evil to have a conceal weapon. I personally don't think in those seconds I could do it BUT there are some people who can and will and have. We definitly need to do some tightening of the laws with guns. Sadly a few people will destroy the right to bear arms.
 @Nicole P Not sure what side of the fence you are standing on. But you clearly aren't making the criminal connection here. HELLO? He stole the gun. And even if there was extremely strict laws outlawing guns he clearly doesnt care about them,,, HE IS A CRIMINAL. He didnt pay any attention to the gun free zone sign outside but i bet all the CCW folks did. WHY? Because they are law abiding citizens. I wonder why the these crazy killers start there little shoot-em-up sprees in places that are marked gun-free zones so frequently? HMMMMM? I wonder why the US cities with the strongest antigun laws have such high levels of violent gun crimes?...... Oh yeah now i remember, because criminals dont follow the law and they are smart enough to kill people they can be confident are unarmed...... AND YOUR SOLUTION IS TO DISARM LAW ABIDING PEOPLE!?
 @Nicole P Please stop drinking the mainstream media cool aid. The CIVILIAN version of an AK47 is only different from any other rifle in the way it LOOKS. In every other way it works exactly the same as a regular semi automatic rifle.
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 The media has labeled AK's and AR's  "assault weapons" in order the make the public think that citizens can have automatic weapons, which we cannot. They are not "military" in any way.
@Nicole P Here is something you gun control freaks seem to forget. Criminals don't obey the laws So tell me how restricting/controlling guns is going to help?
 @Nicole P I took a bull elk this year with my AR15 chambered in 6.5 Grendel. So tell me why I shouldn't have one again?
 @KittySmasher  @Nicole P I laugh when I read the comments that "you don't take them hunting" etc. It immediately shows you someone who has no clue. They are the fastest growing hunting weapon out there. I know several varmint hunters that won't use anything else.
 @SeattleJoe  @Nicole P Yeah but the "yotes sure would like to see them banned.
I find it bewildering how people can somehow find a way to blame a gun, an inanimate object, for this tragedy. Â Firearms are just a tool. Â This kid fell through the cracks of society, probably giving out warning signs for a long time, and society didn't give a damn to deal with it until it was much too late.
Very sad. What is going on with people!!! The crazies go around to public areas and shoot the place up before putting a bullet in their heads. I wish they didn't have to hurt the public and just finish the job without harming others (if that's what they end up doing). Of course I don't think killing off oneself is ever a solution fo anything.
I guess if there's any good news to this is that the shooter is dead and of the 60 shots, only 2 were killed. RIP to the victims of this nightmare. This just makes me mad how this psycho can enter a mall where tons of kids and families are and just shoot around with no regards to human life. Just so sick...
@Koreanman012 I really don't understand why a sucidial person feels they have to take people with them either. Its tragic all the way around.Â
 @Nicole P  @Koreanman012 I have been struggling with an explanation too, and I think it's a twisted "reverse eye-for-an-eye" mentality. When someone kills your loved one, chances are, you want the killer to pay for it, you want him dead.  If someone is so desperate in life that he wants to commit suicide, he may still want someone else to pay for his (own) death. One cannot generalize, and shooters are different, and have different motives, but the "take someone with me attitude" is hard to explain.Â
 @Komo Dragon  @Nicole P  @Koreanman012 Just because he killed himself doesnt mean he was suicidal. He may have just wanted to go out with a bang, but someone doesnt light off 60 rounds at random folks without some serious hatred inside. At least we dont have to worry about the cost of court fees and prison. My prayers go out to the victims and their family.Â
And still we think that a armed population is the answer to crime control as the line for stupid grows longer..
 @Windowseat Reality is, that only 2-4% of the population in WA urban environments have a CPL (don't think it's much different in Oregon). An armed population that could act effectively would be in the 25% range. I used to be a proponent of complete citizen disarmament, but I have come around - 180 degrees. We all want safety and security, and we would prefer the government to take care of us, so that we don't have to. With 320m weapons in circulation, there is ZERO chance of that. So I have gone from a pacifist position to a position of duty to arm yourself, train yourself handling your weapons, and to ready yourself. I am well armed at home, but I still hesitate to carry on a constant basis. Eventually I will overcome my fears and hesitations. I am working on it.
 @Komo Dragon  @Windowseat Glad to hear you woke up. Hopefully you are contagious.Â
@Windowseat
Cities like Chicago have already implemented extremly restrictive gun control laws, yet shootings are through the roof. Libtards can't seem to get it through their thick skulls that gun control disarms only law abiding citizens while criminals will remain armed and dangerous. I'll take my liberty over your backwards nanny state utopia any day of the week.
 @Kilo Byte  @Windowseat Yeah, and those gun laws in Illinois have been rule unconstitutional. They have 180 days to write compliant laws to allow concealed carry.
 @MB  @Kilo Byte  @Windowseat Look at D.C. same story - highest crime rate, toughest gun laws
Well another reason americans should go out and buy a gun. There is all ways a reason to go buy a gun. After the midnightb movie shooting in Colorado gun sells shot up (excuse the pun). So I'm sure people will go and buy gun for thier next shopping trip.
This what I don't get, with several public shootings in crowed areas, where were all these concealed weapons experts whom claim they not only carry to protect themselves but the fools who don't carry for self protection.
You 2nd amendment rights avocates claim self defense and I have yet heard of any gun toten hero show up and save the day in public.
The motto of the NRA should be "innocent people die to protect our right to be armed".
The sad part of this, it will happen again and again and no well armed 2nd amendnent avocate will be there to stop it. But will comment "if had been there............."
 @snoopy84 Armed people save lives all the time on both public and private property. In the big picture these big shootings are actually rare they just get lots of news coverage. violence is not increasing in this country just they way it is reported and covered. Just because there is not an expert marksman CCW at every major shooting proves nothing other than probability. Besides, is not a CCW holder in a gun free zone not breaking the law in the first place?Â
 @snoopy84 this place was a gun-free zone, so only lawbreakers would have guns, and law-abiding citizens wouldn't.  gun control is an immature, uninformed solution to gun crimes.
 @snoopy84 Go to youtube and look up Internet Cafe Shooting and tell us again how a "gun toten hero" didn't show up.Â
 @snoopy84 From what I've been able to find on this mall, it is a "gun free zone." Just like the movie theater on Colorado. You know what "gun free zones" have on common? A bunch of law abiding citizens that do not carry their firearms into those zones. Problem is that criminals don't play by the same rules.Â
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Do you think for one second that criminals don't target these areas knowing there most likely won't be any resistance by an armed citizen? If you do, then you are sadly mistaken. In Colorado there were several theaters that the gunman could have gone to that were closer to his home. Instead, he chose the further one that was a gun free zone. I wonder why he chose that one....not tough to figure out.
@Cutlass442 ....Exactly. Now that we know those signs are absolutlely meaningless, even to law-abiding citizens that choose to CC, maybe we can get the message out to the zombies that we are on to them and perhaps they do us ALL a favor and stay in bed.
 @snoopy84 No matter what your opinion or experience is with firearms, it is a huge deal to make the decision to use one on a person. The average sane person would most likely find having to shoot another person to be a traumatic experience. The decision to act may be the biggest decision a person ever makes in their life. To add to that, what if you make a mistake? What if you shoot the wrong guy or it was a misunderstanding? There are so many factors that must go into making that decision, and ultimately, I believe the average person (unless trained to protect) would only want to use their sidearm only if absolutely necessary to protect their own lives or their loved ones in a dire situation. Firing at a guy running in a mall crowded with people is easier said than done, and depending on the circumstances might not be the responsible thing to do.Â
 @jowsuf  @snoopy84 I seriously dont see how someone walking through a food court shooting people could be a "misunderstanding". Furthermore, people who choose to carry ARE instructed and trained and understand far better than you the seriousness of their choice and the responsibility that goes with it. Furthermore, are you implying that people that choose to "act" are not sane or average?
@Kathia Perkins Losure @jowsuf @snoopy84 Kathia, not to burst your bubble but many, maybe most (meaning a simple majority), of concealed carry permit do not have good training or fully understand the implications of carrying a firearm. I should know, I carry one.
@Kathia Perkins Losure @jowsuf @snoopy84
 @Kathia Perkins Losure  @snoopy84 You're trying really hard to find a reason to argue with me, but I won't take the bait. If your reading comprehension isn't up to snuff, it isn't my problem.
 @jowsuf  @snoopy84 that is a very good point you are making... however, if 25% of people were known to carry a firearm, many shooters might not start their spree.Â
 @Komo Dragon  @snoopy84 I've come to realize that the answer to this issue and actually several others is prevention rather than making everything under the sun illegal. With gun violence, I couldn't even begin to tell you how to do it, but it starts with mass public awareness by promoting education on the topic. Communities need to declare that they won't take it anymore, and through whatever means push violence like this out of their area, community by community. Maybe the answer is publicly advocating the purchase of firearms and making safety training more accessible as a public service. Maybe it's placing greater importance on staying mentally healthy as a public health issue. Maybe it's advocating community support for low-income areas that often breed crime and violence so that it may be prevented from happening. I'm just throwing random things out here, but you get the idea.Â
 @snoopy84 there are only 2-4% CPL holders, but there are 300+ million weapons in circulation. that should answer some of your wonderings, Jefferson
 @snoopy84 Well, while there are quite a few people with concealed permits there aren't enough to be everywhere all the time. Additionally, people carry primarily to protect themselves and possibly those around them but they aren't going to hear shots and go hunt down the madman. Carrying isn't about shooting it out like a hollywood version of the old west in order to "save the day in public". Certainly if one can be of help and you are in a position to do something about it then sure.  So if you want to find these "concealed weapons experts" look for places where they are likely to be as opposed to where they won't be. For instance they probably won't be in a building that has posted no guns allowed like for instance movie theaters, malls, schools etc. You know the places, the ones where the shootings have been taking place, yea those.Â
I think that with all the gun arguments going on here we need to take a second and realize that with a situation like this, there probably wasn't much anyone could have done to prevent what happened, trained and packing or not. Sometimes a sick freak occurrence happens, and sometimes it happens too fast and with too much confusion for anyone to help before its too late.Â
 @jowsuf Yes, I agree. The first couple of shots will fly, there is little chance to prevent that. Same is true for the SeattleU-Village shootings. Colorado, however, could have had a better outcome with armed citizens.Â
 @jowsuf Sorta like that pimp stabbing his "ho" in the leg inside the car near Mercer street this morning. A sick freak who likes to hurt women, and it all happened so fast there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent it...
@TheTruncheon He must have used an "assault knife".
Sad thing is that it's been reported that people saw this guy running through Macy's on his way to the food court to shoot, and he had on black outfit, hockey mask, and an assault weapon over his chest, and they ALL thought that he was playing around, or pulling  a prank, and didn't think anything of it.   Believe me. If I'm in a store and someone runs by me with a weapon and a mask, I'm calling 911 as I'm running for the exit.  That was the same with that theater shooting.. people saw him and thought it was a prank.  if you see someone with a weapon and a mask, and wearing camo,  get the hell out of there and call 911.  It's not a movie. it's real life.  Sad.
 @DT When seconds count, cops are minutes away....
 @DT "It's real life."
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Yes it is. Thank you.
Another coward with a gun. Aren't they all?
As a former concealed permit carrier, I can tell you, I wouldn't have tried to take the gunman out, I would have fled for my life. Â All the armchair heroes here are full of it. Â Or, at least, I hope they are. Â Otherwise I'd imagine more innocents dead in the confusion.
@TehHawt ...Why do you call yourself a "former" concealed permit carrier?Â
@TreeTopFlyer Committed a felony and COULDN'T renew?
 @TreeTopFlyer  @TehHawt Didn't renew? They are only good for 5 years.
 @TehHawt Anyone can get a concealed permit as long as they pass the background check. I agree with your assertion that if you only got a permit for self-defense in-case you get cornered, you should run for your life and its good for you and most probably for others around you.
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Having said that, I do know people who are very well trained and will be able to hold their own against some deranged untrained kid with a gun.
 @NickM1979  @TehHawt how come it hasn't happened yet with all these Internet Tough Guys on here yappin about what they would have done?
@Cutlass442 @tufa23 @NickM1979 @TehHawt TehHawt's comment was directed directly at those of us on this forum Cutlass, so get your panties out of a bunch and don't be chastizing people when you don't interpret things right.
 @tufa23  @NickM1979  @TehHawt Its never happened yet? You mean where a concealed permit holder has used his weapon to stop a violent crime? Go to youtube and search for Internet Cafe Shooting and watch the video. Look up the news story and them come back and tell us how uninformed you are to have made such a statement.
 @tufa23  @NickM1979  @TehHawt The opportunity hasn't presented itself. If it does......we'll see what is said.
 @TehHawt Please don't project your cowardice on the rest of us. Many of us are well trained via the military or other means. Myself, I served with the L.A. County Sheriff's office for a couple of years after earning my marksman as a U.S. Army 11-B.
Â
I'd have no problem taking cover, keeping my weapon out of sight and waiting for a target of opportunity. Pulling a weapon in an active shooter environment is suicide unless you have the shooter identified, in range and have a clear shot.
@NaviDog ..I wonder if you knew my brother-in-law...he was on the LA County Sheriff's dept many years ago.
@NaviDog ...could have been around that time frame...will check it out.
 @TreeTopFlyer  @NaviDog Could be. I worked out of Pasadena from 1973-1975.