Omaha Mall Shooting Victims Tribute

A gunman opened fire inside a department store in an Omaha, Nebraska, mall, killing at least nine people, including himself, and injuring six others, police spokeswoman Sgt. Teresa Negron said on CNN.

The suspect, who wore an Army-green vest and had a rifle, was 19-year-old Robert A. Hawkins from Bellevue, a city just south of Omaha, local television station KETV reported. Hawkins allegedly left a note saying he would be famous, KETV said, citing Sarpy County Sheriff spokesman Rollie Yost.

Witnesses said the gunman fired down on shoppers from a third-floor balcony, the Associated Press reported. Hawkins died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and there are no other apparent suspects, Negron said. Authorities gave no motive.

The shootings, which occurred three weeks before Christmas, took place inside Von Maur Inc., a privately owned retailer that sells apparel, shoes and related goods. Von Maur, which began in 1872, operates 22 stores in the Midwest. The gunman was found dead on the third floor, and his victims were found on the second and third floors, AP said, citing police.

Charissa Totten, a Von Maur employee, told CNN in a televised interview that she heard three ``loud pops'' that sounded like a jackhammer. Immediately afterward, there was a series of 20 to 25 shots, she said. Police haven't yet released identification of the suspect or the victims.

General Growth Properties Inc. owns the three-level, 1.2 million-square-foot (108,000-square-meter) Westroads Mall, the largest in Nebraska. It has 135 shops and restaurants attracting 14.5 million annual visitors, the company said.

The mall is closed, possibly until tomorrow, Negron said. A grenade was found Nov. 30 at a parking lot in the same mall, KETV said.

General Growth called the shootings a ``horrific event'' and said its top priority is protecting shoppers and employees, according to a statement from the Chicago-based company.

President George W. Bush, who was in Omaha on a fund- raising trip, left the city about an hour before the shooting, CNN said.

According to the NY Times, Police Chief Thomas Warren of Omaha identified the eight people who were killed in a shooting spree at a shopping mall on Wednesday. Six of the victims were employees of the Von Maur department store and two were customers who were simply doing their holiday shopping:

THE CUSTOMERS

-Gary Scharf, 48 years old. A customer from Lincoln, Nebraska.

-John McDonald, 65 years old. A customer from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Was Christmas shopping with his wife.

THE EMPLOYEES

-Angie Schuster, 36 years old. An employee. Worked at store for about 10 years and was manager of the girls department, the Omaha television station KETV reported. Single.

-Maggie Webb, 24 years old.

-Janet Jorgensen, 66 years old.

-Dianne Trent, 53 years old.

-Gary Joy, 56 years old.

-Beverly Flynn, 47 years old. An employee. A real estate agent who moonlighted as a gift wrapper at Von Maur’s during the holiday season. Mother of three.