Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Mall Shooting Victims Identified
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Omaha, NE - Omaha Police Chief Thomas Warren released the names of the victims in Wedensday's Westroads Mall massacre.
Nine people are confirmed dead - including the gunman - following the shooting inside the Von Maur at Westroads Mall Wednesday afternoon.
The victims are identified as: Gary Sharf, a customer from Lincoln; John McDonald, a customer from Council Bluffs; Angie Schuster, employee of Von Maur; Maggie Webb, employee of Von Maur; Janet Jorgensen, employee at Von Maur; Diane Trent, employee of Von Maur; Gary Joy, employee of Von Maur; Beverly Flynn, employee of Von Maur.
Police have identified Robert Hawkins of Sarpy County as the gunman. Sergeant Teresa Negron says he shot and killed himself inside the store. Police also say Hawkins entered the mall from Von Maur's main entrance, took an elevator to the third floor where he proceeded to open fire. Hawkins was 19 years old. At one point he attended Papillion-La Vista High School. Sources tell Action 3 News Hawkins recently tried to get in the Army, but wasn't accepted.
Officers have recovered the gun. They say it was an assault rifle.
Von Maur Corporate issued this statement: "We are deeply saddened by the horrific shooting at our Omaha store this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragic event as well as they're families." The Director of Sales tells Action 3 News the store has a policy in place for emergencies such as this. He says workers at the Omaha store went through training for emergencies within the past year.
Westroads Mall will be closed Thursday.
If you were at the mall and witnessed the shooting, we would like to hear your story. Send an e-mail and any pictures or cell phone video you may have taken to news@action3news.com.
Reported by Jen Kucirek, jkucirek@action3news.com.
Additional reporting by Kayla Thomas, kayla@action3news.com
Additional reporting by Carlo Cecchetto, ccecchetto@action3news.com
