1 dead, 2 injured in Vancouver Mall shooting, police say

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KATU) – One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting at the Vancouver Mall on Thursday evening, Vancouver police said.

Police said there is no longer an active threat at the mall and officers are contacting people sheltering in place.

Police said the injured were taken to hospital.

Police are asking people to avoid the area.

When the shooting happened, Brianne Stoner was trick-or-treating at the mall with her family. She, her family and some friends were taking a break near Euphoria Body Piercing & Tattoo when she said they got five or six shots.

“I froze for a moment and thought, 'There's no way this is happening. Absolutely not,'” Stoner said.

She said several people ran toward her.

“A lot of scared mothers were dragging their children behind them and all I could think was, 'We have to run now because I don't know where they are, they haven't seen us yet, we have to get out, we.' I have to hide.'”

They ran to a nearby apartment complex and called their family to tell them they were OK.

According to police, there is a reunification area outside of Hobby Lobby for those who have been separated from others. Anyone still inside the mall can exit through any open exit, police said.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.