In a media briefing after midnight Sunday, Police Chief William Blair Anderson said the off-duty officer from another jurisdiction confronted and killed the suspect inside Crossroads Center. He said the suspect — dressed in a private security uniform — reportedly asked at least one victim whether they were Muslim before assaulting them, and referred to Allah during the attacks.
The shooting happened inside Macy’s, according to Mayor Dave Kleis. Those stabbed were attacked starting about 8:15 p.m. in corridors, businesses and common areas, authorities said.
The mall will not be open Sunday but will be back in business the next day starting at 10 a.m., said Kevin Berry, spokesman for the Chicago-based company that operates the mall.
“We are devastated by the events that happened at Crossroads Center,” Berry, of General Growth Properties, said in a statement Sunday. “Out of respect to the victims, their families and the ongoing investigation, the shopping center will be closed today.”
In the meantime, police press on with piecing together the events surrounding the violence and are trying to learn more about the attacker, whose identity has yet to be released. More from authorities is expected later Sunday.
The eight who suffered noncritical injuries were taken to St. Cloud Hospital. All but one has been released, police said. That person’s condition and the identities of the victims have yet to be revealed.
The mall attack got national exposure when Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton mentioned it, saying she’d been briefed about the incident as well as suspicious explosions Saturday in New York and New Jersey, according to the Associated Press. She called on the nation to support first responders and to pray for victims and told reporters traveling with her that she will have more to say when more is known about the incidents.
Chief Anderson declined to call the stabbing a terror attack, saying the motive is still unclear. “We will be diligent and get to the bottom of this,” Anderson said, adding that police had prior contact with the suspect, but only related to traffic stops. “The entire mall is an active crime scene,” he said.
The chief added that St. Cloud “won’t be the same.”
Danny Carranza of Willmar told the St. Cloud Times that he was with his children at the play area near Macy’s at the time.
“People came running around the corner and I freaked out because I thought it was a terrorist attack or something because I saw a lot of people, so I grabbed my kids,” Carranza said. “I ran as much as I could and I heard someone yell ‘Stop! Stop!’ As soon as the door shut I heard gunshots.”
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