Four dead in shooting at mall in Washington: police

Police report active shooter situation at Cascade Mall in northwest Washington state, 65 miles north of Seattle

Washington: Four people have been shot dead at a mall in northwest Washington state and the shooter has fled the scene, police said on social media.

A lock down is in effect following gunshots reported in a Macy's store. 

Sgt. Mark Francis said on Twitter that the number of shooters is unknown.

The shooter apparently entered the mall at around 7pm Friday (4am Saturday in Dubai) and shooting occurred at about 7:30 pm at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, about 65 miles north of Seattle, Washington State Patrol spokesman Mark Francis said on Twitter.

Skagit County police and fire scanner audio described the suspect as appearing between 20 to 25 years old, with a "skinny build," black messy hair and wearing a black shirt.

Sgt. Francis previously tweeted an "active shooter description," detailing an "Hispanic male wearing grey. Last seen walking towards I5 from Cascade Mall burlington."

A person identifying as the shooter has called into police, and crisis negotiators are being assembled, according to local media.

Police evacuated the mall, then escorted emergency medical services inside to attend to those injured. The number of injured is unknown at this time.

The Department of Emergency Management of Skagit County is asking the public to avoid the area. SWAT teams are inside and outside of the mall, and all roads in and out of the area are closed, according to local media.