BBC News, 11 December 2012 Last updated at 20:43 ET
Deadly Oregon Shooting at Clackmas Shopping Centre
Emergency vehicles surrounded the mall soon fter the shooting
A gunman opened fire at a shopping mall near the city of Portland, Oregon, killing at least two people.
Lt James Rhodes of Clackmas County Police Police said one person was seriously injured at the Clackmas Shopping Center and taken to hospital.
All entrances to the mall were blocked off, and police said the suspect was now dead.
Dozens of police and emergency medical teams remain at the scene and a search is ongoing, Lt Rhodes said.
Multiple witnesses reported to local media that the gunman was wearing a mask and brandishing an assault-style rifle.
In a statement, Oregon governor John Kitzhaber said: "my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families... I have directed State Police to make any and all necessary resources available to local law enforcement".
Witnesses said the gunman opened fire several times while on the second floor of the shopping centre.
"It was just shot after shot after shot," witness Kira Rowland said. "It was terrible. It was like a massacre."
END
There have been some reports that the gunman's assault weapon jammed, preventing further people being injured or killed. Other reports say he then killed himself.
This is very sad indeed, probably many shoppers in that Mall were just doing their Christmas shopping when this horrific event happened.
In my opinion its about time there were stronger gun controls in the US, or these mass shootings will claim more innocent peoples lives.