A gunman has stormed through a shopping centre in the US state of Nebraska, killing eight people before turning the gun on himself, police say.
A gunman has stormed through a shopping centre in the US state of Nebraska, killing eight people before turning the gun on himself, police say.
A further five people were wounded - two critically - in the shooting at the Westroads Mall in Omaha.
A further five people were wounded - two critically - in the shooting at the Westroads Mall in Omaha.
Police were called to the incident at lunchtime, when the centre would have been packed with Christmas shoppers.
Police were called to the incident at lunchtime, when the centre would have been packed with Christmas shoppers.
Police sealed the exits and emergency workers were seen ferrying stretchers into the building.
Police sealed the exits and emergency workers were seen ferrying stretchers into the building.
Customers hid
Customers hid
There have been differing accounts of the incident.
There have been differing accounts of the incident.
According to one report, the gunman shot people at random from a balcony in the shopping centre.
According to one report, the gunman shot people at random from a balcony in the shopping centre.
Others said the shooting appeared to have taken place in the Von Maur department store.
Others said the shooting appeared to have taken place in the Von Maur department store.
Keith Fidler, a Von Maur employee, said he heard a burst of five to six shots followed by 15 to 20 more shots.
Keith Fidler, a Von Maur employee, said he heard a burst of five to six shots followed by 15 to 20 more shots.
A worker from another shop said customers and employees were huddled in a storeroom.
A worker from another shop said customers and employees were huddled in a storeroom.
"All we know was people were running and screaming down the hallway by Von Maur saying there was a shooting, and then [police] locked us down," she said.
"All we know was people were running and screaming down the hallway by Von Maur saying there was a shooting, and then [police] locked us down," she said.
Earlier in the day, President George W Bush had been in Omaha for a fundraiser, but he left the city before the shooting occurred.
Earlier in the day, President George W Bush had been in Omaha for a fundraiser, but he left the city before the shooting occurred.
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