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
'Bleeding'
There have been differing accounts of the incident.
There have been differing accounts of exactly where the shooting took place.
According to one report, the gunman shot people at random from a balcony in the shopping centre.
Some witnesses said it happened inside the upscale Von Maur department store, inside the shopping centre. Others said the gunman was positioned on a balcony.
Others said the shooting appeared to have taken place in the Von Maur department store.
"We heard about 35, 40 shots, and on our way we did see someone down by the escalator, bleeding," witness Jennifer Cramer told local media, according to news agency AFP.
Keith Fidler, a Von Maur employee, said he heard a burst of five to six shots followed by 15 to 20 more shots.
"I went around and then I saw the guy in the children's department," another woman who witnessed the attack said.
"Big tall guy, real tall and he just stood there with his arm like this, his hand straight up in the air, shooting. And then I turned and ran."
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
Critical condition
Police Sgt Teresa Negron told a news conference she could confirm nine deaths, including the gunman.
"We have two people that are still in critical condition and three that have gunshot wounds."
The gunman's name was not released.
According to the Westroads Mall website, it is the largest shopping centre in Nebraska, with more than 135 shops and restaurants.
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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