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New Jersey Mall Gunman Found Dead

Avery Regen |
November 5, 2013 | 10:28 a.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Garden State Plaza Mall/via NYT
Garden State Plaza Mall/via NYT
The gunman who terrified people at a New Jersey Mall last night shot and killed himself this morning, according to local authorities.

The gunman, Richard Shoop, 20, of Teaneck, N.J., did not harm anyone else in the mall.

Shoop entered the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J. at around 9:20 p.m. and shot at least six rounds from a modified rifle without hitting anyone, according to Bergen County prosecutor, John Molinelli.

ALSO SEE: Gunman At-Large In New Jersey Mall

Mr. Molinelli said he is "one hundred percent satisfied that the shooter was the only one involved" and that he was trying to commit "suicide by cop" before he decided to shoot himself.

“At least 400 patrons were locked into whatever store they were in at the time,” said Molinelli. Authorities are now analyzing a note found in Shoop's home which states that the "end was coming."

According to Mr. Molinelli, Shoop used a gun lawfully owned by his brother. Kevin Shoop, the gunman's brother, also spoke about his brother's intentions this morning.

“My brother intended to harm nobody else but himself,” said Shoop. “Sadly,” he continued, his brother chose “an act of self-indulgence by taking his life publicly.”

Read more about the New Jersey mall shooting at the New York TimesChicago Tribune and CNN.

Reach Staff Reporter Avery Regen here.



 

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