Latest on Washington mall shooting: Governor says tragedy has struck in Washington

Authorities say four people were slain and the gunman was still on the loose.
Law enforcement officers stand in front of the Macy's store at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Wash., where several people were fatally shot. ( AP)
Law enforcement officers stand in front of the Macy's store at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Wash., where several people were fatally shot. ( AP)

BURLINGTON, Washington: The Latest on a fatal shooting at a mall in Washington state (all times local):

9:55 p.m.

Authorities say three people were killed and two injured when a gunman opened fire at a mall north of Seattle.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Mark Francis said Friday night that three females were killed, one male suffered life-threatening injuries and another female suffered non-life threatening injuries at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington.

Authorities had previously said four people were killed, but updated the number of fatalities after they were able to secure the scene.

Authorities were searching for a gunman they described as a Hispanic male wearing a black shirt.

9:30 p.m.

Gov. Jay Inslee says tragedy has struck in Washington state in Burlington, where a shooter has taken the lives of at least three people.

The governor said in a statement that many questions remain but state patrol and local law enforcement are on the scene working swiftly to locate the shooter and clear the area.

"Trudi and I send our condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for anyone injured. We urge residents to heed all safety and detour warnings. Stay close to your friends and loved ones as we await more information and, hopefully, news of the suspect's capture."

The Washington State Patrol had previously said on Twitter that four were shot.

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9:23 p.m.

An employee at a restaurant near a deadly mall shooting in Washington state said they "immediately locked the doors" when they heard of the mayhem Friday night.

Stephanie Bose, an assistant general manager at Johnny Carino's Italian restaurant near Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, told The Associated Press the shooting happened inside the Macy's department store. Her restaurant is just outside the Macy's.

Authorities say four people were slain and the gunman was still on the loose.

A boyfriend of one of Bose's employees came into the restaurant after trying to go to the mall. She said he saw people screaming and police blocking the door with assault rifles.

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9:10 p.m.

Federal authorities are responding to a deadly mall shooting in Washington state.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives said Friday night it was deploying to Burlington,Washington, after authorities said four people were killed at the Cascade Mall.

Authorities were searching for a man wearing gray who was last seen walking toward Interstate 5. It wasn't clear if more than one gunman was involved.

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8:47 p.m.

Authorities in Washington state say four people have been killed during a shooting at a mall north of Seattle and that at least one suspect remains at large.

The Washington State Patrol says on Twitter that the four were shot Friday at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Seattle.

Sgt. Mark Francis says authorities are searching for a man wearing gray who was last seen walking toward Interstate 5. Francis says it wasn't immediately known if there was more than one gunman involved.

Francis said at about 8:30 p.m. that the mall had been evacuated and emergency medical personnel were cleared to enter and attend to any injuries. It wasn't immediately clear how many people were hurt.

The Cascade Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in Burlington, Washington that opened in 1990, according to the mall's website. It features J.C. Penney, TJ Maxx, and Macy's stores, among other stores, restaurants and a movie theater.

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