Westroads Mall Shootings

9 Killed In Westroads Mall Shooting, Including Shooter - Suspect ...

Omaha (KPTM) - Tragedy Wednesday afternoon at one of Omaha's most popular shopping malls.

Shortly after 1:30pm, a Bellevue teen walked into the Westroads Mall, and then opened fire with an automatic weapon in an upper floor of the Von Maur department store.

In the aftermath, a total of 14 were shot, nine killed. Two remain in critical condition.

Police say the suspect, 19 year-old Robert Hawkins of Bellevue, turned the gun on himself and is among the dead.

Hawkins left a suicide note, and police are waiting on a search warrant to search the house he was renting in Bellevue.

At the scene, eyewitness accounts told a grisly tale. Some said they heard several shots ring out. Lisa Baudler, who works in Von Maur's cosmetic department, told KPTM FOX 42 News that she heard the shots, and saw a person get hit.

A customer told KPTM FOX 42 News that a man with a flag vest, camoflauge and automatic rifle was seen by a customer in the mall before the shooting.

Keith Fidler is an employee at department store Von Maur, where the shooting is believed to have taken place. He says he heard the burst of gunfire, followed by dozens of shots. Fidler says he huddled in the corner of the men's clothing department without about a dozen other employees until police yelled to get out of the store.

Fidler said he did not see the shooting, but saw a person lying by the elevator as he was leaving the store.

A woman who answered the phone at Old Navy shortly after 2 o'clock says 20 to 30 customers were huddled with employees in a back storeroom.

KPTM FOX 42 reporter Nabil Molai reports that several people have told him that they heard several shots in the mall.

Omaha Police Department is asking for the public at large to stay away from the mall. There is still an active crime scene, so stay away from the area so that officers can investigate.

The Hampton Inn by the mall is being set up as a staging area for families looking for loved ones.

Officials say that the mall will remain closed on Thursday.

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