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Three people dead after shooting at shopping mall in Maryland Three people dead after shooting at shopping mall in Maryland
(about 1 hour later)
Three people died in a shooting at the Mall in Columbia, a large shopping centre outside Three people died in a shooting at the Mall in Columbia, a large shopping centre outside
Baltimore, Maryland, on Saturday. Police said one of the three dead was believed to be the gunman. Two people with minor injuries were transported to hospital for treatment. Baltimore, Maryland, on Saturday. Police said one of the three dead was believed to be the gunman. 
At an afternoon press conference held at the mall, the Howard County police chief, Bill McMahon, said: “At about 11.15 this morning, our 911 centre received a number of calls reporting a shooting at the Columbia mall. Officers were able to get to the area and were able to identify three victims in an upper-level store.” Five people were injured, although a spokesman for Howard County General Hospital said only one of them suffered a gunshot wound. All were reported to be in a good condition – police said one of the victims had a gunshot wound to the foot.
Police also said that the suspected shooter was found near a shotgun and ammunition. 
At an early afternoon press conference held at the mall, the Howard County police chief, Bill McMahon, said: “At about 11.15 this morning, our 911 centre received a number of calls reporting a shooting at the Columbia mall. Officers were able to get to the area and were able to identify three victims in an upper-level store.”
After the incident, police had said that the scene was “believed to be secure” at about 12.36pm ET. Later, police said they were allowing shoppers to leave the mall, after determining there was no longer a threat.After the incident, police had said that the scene was “believed to be secure” at about 12.36pm ET. Later, police said they were allowing shoppers to leave the mall, after determining there was no longer a threat.
McMahon repeated that the shooting had occurred in an upper-level store at the mall, contradicting media reports that had placed the incident in the lower-level food court. McMahon repeated that the shooting had occurred in an upper-level store at the mall, contradicting media reports that had placed the incident in the lower-level food court. Howard County police later confirmed that the store in question “was a skate shop called Zumiez on mall's upper level”.
He continued: “One of the deceased appears to be the shooter. We do not think at this point that there are any more shooters in or around the mall. When something like this happens, people run in many directions. They also do what we actually train people to do, which is to shelter in place. So right now we have many, many people still in the mall who have secured themselves inside stores. Our Swat teams, with help from many agencies around the state, are going through the mall now to get those people out.”He continued: “One of the deceased appears to be the shooter. We do not think at this point that there are any more shooters in or around the mall. When something like this happens, people run in many directions. They also do what we actually train people to do, which is to shelter in place. So right now we have many, many people still in the mall who have secured themselves inside stores. Our Swat teams, with help from many agencies around the state, are going through the mall now to get those people out.”
Answering questions from the assembled media, McMahon repeatedly said that police did not yet have the identities of the victims or a motive for the shooting. He also said law-enforcement officers had not fired shots during the incident.Answering questions from the assembled media, McMahon repeatedly said that police did not yet have the identities of the victims or a motive for the shooting. He also said law-enforcement officers had not fired shots during the incident.
Ken Ulman, the executive of Howard County, said there would be another news conference at 4pm local time.Ken Ulman, the executive of Howard County, said there would be another news conference at 4pm local time.
The Mall in Columbia, which has about 200 stores and is located about 30 miles north of Washington DC, typically opens at 10am on Saturdays. Joan Harding of Elkridge, Maryland, was shopping with her husband, David, when the incident occurred. She said she heard something heavy falling, followed by gunshots and people running. "My husband said, 'Get down!' and the girl that worked in the store said, 'Get in the back,'" Harding said. That is where they hid until police gave the all-clear.People were directed out of the mall and into a parking lot, where some boarded a bus and others walked toward their cars. Some were seen crying.Laura McKinzles, who works at a kiosk in the mall, said she heard between eight and 10 gunshots, followed by people running and screaming. She ran into the backroom of a perfume store and locked the door.The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report The Mall in Columbia, which has about 200 stores and is located about 30 miles north of Washington DC, typically opens at 10am on Saturdays. Joan Harding of Elkridge, Maryland, was shopping with her husband, David, when the incident occurred. She said she heard something heavy falling, followed by gunshots and people running. "My husband said, 'Get down!' and the girl that worked in the store said, 'Get in the back,'" Harding said. That is where they hid until police gave the all-clear.People were directed out of the mall and into a parking lot, where some boarded a bus and others walked toward their cars. Some were seen crying.Laura McKinzles, who works at a kiosk in the mall, said she heard between eight and 10 gunshots, followed by people running and screaming. She ran into the backroom of a perfume store and locked the door.