Washington Mall Shooting: 5 Killed at Cascade Mall in Burlington, Suspect in Custody

BURLINGTON, WA — The shooter responsible for killing five people at the Macy's in Washington's Cascade Mall is in custody, according to Washington State Police.

The suspect is 20-year-old Arcan Cetin who was convicted last year in a misdemeanor assault case in Island County. At the time he was ordered to stay away from drugs and alcohol and undergo mental health counseling.

Cetin allegedly killed five people at the Macy's store and then fled, resulting in a 20-hour manhunt.

State Police said that he was arrested near Oak Harbor.

The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management urged residents to avoid the area of Cascade Mall in Burlington, telling them to stay indoors and to call 911 for any suspicious sightings. According to Washington State Patrol, the call for the shooting came in just before 7 p.m. local time.

Police say they believe that Cetin acted alone. They said that he entered the mall without a weapon and moments later entered the Macy's with a rifle, killing five people, Lt. Chris Commack, commander of the Skagit multi-agency response team, said at the press conference. The victims included four women, ranging in age from teenagers to seniors, and a man.

Authorities worked overnight to clear the mall with 11 search teams and two K-9s on perimeter, opening several locked doors and rooms in the search process, helping patrons who had sheltered in place to exit the mall. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the scene. The FBI bureau in Seattle said that at the time it has no information to suggest a larger attack is being planned in the state. At the press conference Saturday, a representative for the FBI said at the time there is no indication that the shooting was a terrorist act.

"This was a long, drawn-out process," said Tom Moser, assistant police chief of the Burlington Police Department. The mall is 434,000 square feet.

Survivors were taken via bus to His Place Community Church at the corner of Pease Road and Burlington Boulevard.

Commack said investigators are reconstructing the entire crime scene, taking photographs and videos and collecting evidence from the scene. There is also a team of detectives pursuing tips and leads. The victims have not been identified.

Authorities later released a photo of the suspect.

Little is known about the shooter. Authorities believe he is a man in his late teens to mid-20s. Authorities did not speculate on the motive of the shooter.

Access to the mall and surrounding roads were blocked off as authorities completed their response. Burlington is about 65 miles north of Seattle.

"Tragedy has struck in Washington tonight," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee tweeted.

Below is Inslee's full statement:

"Tragedy has struck in Washington tonight. Our hearts are in Burlington where a shooter has taken the lives of at least four people. Many questions remain but our state patrol and local law enforcement are on the scene working swiftly to locate the shooter and clear the area.

"Trudi and I send our condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for anyone injured. We urge residents to heed all safety and detour warnings. Stay close to your friends and loved ones as we await more information and, hopefully, news of the suspect's capture."

"This was a senseless act," Burlington Mayor Steve Sexton said.

Sexton said his thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, "whose lives have changed forever." He reassured members of the community that Burlington would overcome the tragedy.

Anyone with information is asked to call 360-428-3211 or email scinv@co.skagit.wa.us.

Several people reported being near the scene of the shooting.

Patch will update this breaking news story.

Images via Washington State Patrol