Police evacuate employees and patrons from the Columbia Town Center Mall after three people were killed in a shooting there January 25, 2014 in Columbia, Maryland. Police still do not have a motive for the shooting but believe the shooter has been killed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Two employees of a store inside the Maryland Mall in Columbia were killed Saturday morning by a male shooter, who is also dead, police say.
The shooting took place at a second floor skate shop called Zumiez, which is above the food court. The victims were identified as employees Brianna Benlolo, 21 of College Park, Md., and Tyler Johnson, 25 of Ellicott City. The shooter, who has also not been identified, used a shotgun and was found dead by police with a large amount of ammunition on his body.
In a statement, Zumiez said it will make counseling available to employees in the area.
Police say they do not have a known motive at this time and urged the media not to report unconfirmed reports from law enforcement sources. The mall has been cleared of people and an investigation is underway.
Motive of shooting is unknown. Not determined to be domestic or any other cause at this time. Any other reports are complete speculation.
— Howard County Police (@HCPDNews) January 25, 2014
Howard County Police Chief Bill McMahon said at an afternoon news briefing that one other person was treated for a gun shot wound, reportedly in the foot. Four other people were treated for other medical conditions or injuries. All five have been released.
The Columbia Mall is located 20 miles from Baltimore, Md. and 25 miles from Washington, D.C.
