Suspect at large after shooting at Salem Center Mall in Oregon

A search was underway for the suspect after a shooting at the Salem Center Mall in Oregon on Friday afternoon.

Officers responded to the downtown mall shortly before 2.30 pm after receiving reports of a shooting.

Shelter in place warning was issued for downtown businesses as police searched for the suspect in the vicinity of High and Chemeketa streets.

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Authorities have urged to avoid the downtown area near the mall but confirmed that it was not an active shooter incident.

“Officers are clearing the Salem Center Mall at this time. Liberty at Chemeketa ST NE closed and traffic is being routed west from Liberty. Avoid the area due at this time as the incident is still ongoing. Again this is NOT an active shooter incident,” Salem Police Department tweeted. 

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Meanwhile, speaking to Statesman Journal, 19-year-old Amirah Montaner said she was inside the mall when shots were fired. 

“He shot four or five times before he ran off. I looked up and I see smoke coming out of the gun as he’s running and still shooting. It took me a second to register it actually happened. I ran in the opposite direction,” she told the outlet.

“He wasn’t necessarily even looking at what he was shooting. He was just kind of shooting,” she added.