Authorities: Suspect in US mall shooting is dead

An official stands at an entrance to the Garden State Mall following reports of a shooter, Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, in Paramus, New Jersey. AP

PARAMUS, New Jersey — Authorities say a man suspected of firing multiple shots and causing a lockdown at New Jersey’s largest shopping mall has been found dead of a self-inflicted wound.

Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli says the body of 20-year-old Richard Shoop of Teaneck was found in a back area of the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus early Tuesday. He says Shoop killed himself with the same weapon he used at the mall and that a note has been found.

There were no other injuries.

Police received reports of a man who fired multiple shots shortly before the mall’s 9:30 p.m. closing time on Monday, sending customers and employees rushing for the exits and hiding places.

The mall, which has more than 270 stores, is located in Bergen County, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) northwest of Manhattan.

 
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