Gunman kills self, eight others at Omaha mall

A man with a rifle went on a shooting rampage at a mall in Omaha, Nebraska, killing eight people before turning the weapon on himself.

Five others were injured, and two of them are in critical condition following the shooting Wednesday aternoon.

A witness told CNN that he was in the Westroads Mall when he heard people screaming and running towards exits.

Shawn Vidlak said he and his family were in the mall when he saw a rushing crowd heading towards them. People were frantic and yelling out warnings.

They were screaming to "grab your families. Get out of there. Someone's shooting," Vidlak said.

He said he then heard a series of four or five popping sounds. Vidlak quickly grabbed his wife, picked up his four-year-old daughter, and ran outside.

But not everyone got out. Some hid in clothing racks and dressing rooms when they heard the shots.

Witnesses described hearing round after round of gun shots. There are reports that at least 30 to 40 shots were fired.

By the time police arrived they weren't sure how many shooters they were dealing with. They surrounded the mall, and once they were set up, shoppers and employees had to come out with their hands raised in the air.

Later they said they believed there was only one shooter. He is believed to be 20-year-old Robert Hawkins of Bellevue, Neb.

A woman who lived in the same house as Hawkins told the Associated Press that he had lived with a friend's family after being kicked out of his own family's home last year.

He was recently fired from his job at a nearby fast food restaurant and had broken up with his girlfriend.

It's believed that Hawkins died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The gunman is believed to have been found on the third floor of the shopping complex. There are reports that he shot himself.

U.S. President George Bush was in Omaha delivering a speech Wednesday, but had left the city before the shootings began.

Vidlak said he would never have expected to have been caught up in such a situation.

"I'm sure any town wouldn't expect it. But this brings it more home that it could happen anywhere," he said.

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