Man Opens Fire In Shopping Mall

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Witnesses say a gunman who opened fire in an Omaha, Nebraska, mall was firing down on shoppers from a third-floor balcony of a department store.<br/><br/>Police say the man, armed with

Wednesday, December 5th 2007, 6:32 pm

By: News On 6

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Witnesses say a gunman who opened fire in an Omaha, Nebraska, mall was firing down on shoppers from a third-floor balcony of a department store.

Police say the man, armed with a rifle, killed eight people before taking his own life. Five more people were injured, two critically.

A law enforcement official says the gunman left a note that was found at his home by relatives. Omaha television station KETV reports the note said he wanted to "go out in style."

Police say they received a 911 call from someone inside the mall, and shots could be heard in the background. By the time officers arrived six minutes later, the shooting was over.

The sprawling, three-level Westroads Mall has more than 135 stores and restaurants. It gets 14.5 million visitors every year.