Armed standoff at Tacoma Mall (WA)

Eyewitness ^ | 11/20/05 | Ramius

[Ramius]

Two separate reports, one from my Dad and one from a friend... both at Tacoma Mall. Not being allowed inside, due to "someone inside with a semiautomatic shooting in the mall".

Large number of police on the scene, sealing the exits. Not letting anyone in or out.

Will post a source as soon as I have one.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Post #83 -- "Package described as blue duffel bag on west side near Goodyear store in or on bushes."

Is Penny's entrace near the Goodyear store (which are usually on the first floor)?

[steve86]

I accidentally pulled my cable connection out of the video card and have to get something done outside before it's dark. Someone else watching NWCN or the Seattle stations can provide play by play.

[andysandmikesmom]

I actually hate to go to town anymore, for any reason...I try to do most of my shopping for things I need either from QVC, or Ebay, or catalogs...doing the mall thing ,when the boys were growing up, was an every weekend event...I have had enough of that...I just prefer to stay home...the main shopping I go out for, is grocery shopping...

Tho, yesterday we went to Fred Meyers...gads, it was so crowded, and such long lines, and such a hassle, I am glad that its over now...but I wanted to go, to look at some Christmas decorations, and get a few other things that were on sale...but it will be long, long time, before I go back there...

[Choose Ye This Day]

Aw, shucks, ma'am, jus' doin' mah job...

BTW, the mall directory is right here: http://www.simon.com/mall/directory.aspx?ID=238

[Ramius]

Thanks for the map! I was looking around for one. That's the one they're showing on NWCN too. Doesn't seem to be one with any more detail.

[Choose Ye This Day]

I can't tell from the mall's website. It simply says Goodyear is on the "Outlot." Doesn't show it on a map, unfortunately. Perhaps someone familiar with the mall knows...

[Just Lori]

It's not far. Goodyear is further out in the lot, kinda kitty corner from penneys.

[wideminded]

Isn't this in a "BLUE" state ?

There are some large miltary bases near Tacoma, including Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. There are many ex-military amd military families in the area. Washington may be a "blue state" but Tacoma did not to be especially liberal when I lived there.

[Horatio Gates]

Sam Goody is in the main concourse although I don't recall exactly where. The food court has it's own atrium so it would be around the corner and it has an close ingress and egress.

[Tinman73]

Hehehehe no malls in the town I grew up in. Heck, they rolled up the streets at 5 Pm and everything but the bars closed :)

[2Jedismom]

They just showed the stand-off on my local news here in Tulsa...video and all.

[Horatio Gates]

I could respond in to town if they paged me. It's my day off so extra help may be needed with all the calls I'm assuming that are backing up elswhere

[Ramius]

I don't think posting that is a good idea.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Thanks for the time taken to report.

[Horatio Gates]

Oh, it's happened a few times. 8>)

[Just Lori]

Y'know...... I go to the Tacoma Mall pretty often. Almost went today, but didn't feel like dealing with the crowd. I've never ever worried one bit about shopping there. I always park my car right by the POLICE STATION. I have faith in Tacoma's finest, even the ones who aren't Freepers! I guess no place is safe anymore.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

So if these reports are accurate, someone tossed a suspicious blue bag into the bushes near Goodyear, walked into the mall through the Penny's entrance (shooting and injuring people along the way) and then entered the nearby Sam Goody where he took hostages.

Wonder what's in the bag?