by Tyler Fransen
A shooting occurred Friday, Sept. 23, at a mall near Seattle leaving five dead. The Cascade Mall in the small city of Burlington, Wash. was a host for Friday night shoppers when around 7 p.m. a shooter began opening fire inside of a Macy’s department store.
Shortly after the shooting Washington State Police put the city of Burlington on alert and warned residents to stay indoors while law enforcement searched for the shooter. The shooter had disappeared from the mall and the only solid lead police had was security camera footage from inside the Macy’s.
Police went on a manhunt for the shooter and would later arrest 20-year-old Arcan Cetin of Oak Harbor, Wash. who is so far the only suspect.
Although he has not been charged, Cetin could face five possible murder charges for the deaths of one man and four women and was held without bond on Sunday. KING 5 News in Seattle reported that the weapon used was a .22 Ruger rifle.
The FBI has been assisting in the investigation and has said there appears to be no connection to terrorism at this time. Michael Knutson, assistant special agent in charge of the Seattle FBI, told reporters at a press conference,
“We have no indication this was a terrorism act.”
Cetin is believed to be the only shooter involved and does have a previous criminal background. Back in July of 2015, Cetin was arrested for assaulting his stepfather and also has a drunk driving charge on his record.
Cetin and his family immigrated to the United States from Turkey and is a,“legal, permanent resident of the United States,” Mt. Vernon Police Lt. Chris Cammock said.
Motive for the shooter remains unknown and there have not been any established connections to Cetin and the victims of the shooting.
One of the victims was a 95-year-old woman while another was a 16-year-old cancer survivor.
The city of Burlington has begun the process of mourning the victims, although there is no word yet as to any official memorial service or tribute at this time.
