The Sunrise Times is a community newspaper serving Oregon neighborhoods throughout Clackamas, Damascus, Boring, Carver, Happy Valley, Sunnyside & Barton.
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kitzhaber today ordered all flags at public institutions statewide to immediately be lowered and flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, December 18, 2012.
“There aren’t enough words to express my sorrow for the people of Newtown, Connecticut, or my anger that someone would deliberately hurt children. Oregonians have had to come together over tragedy this week, and we come together now to send our profound condolences to the families and victims of Newtown. I support the President’s call for meaningful action, regardless of politics,” said Governor Kitzhaber.
For the text of the Presidential Proclamation, go to:
The Clackamas Town Center reopens Friday December 14th at 9:00am.
Update Wednesday 12/12/12 at 4:00pm: Hero’s live among us.
Clackamas Town Center Mall continues to be closed thru Thursday. Retailers and shoppers can check the mall’s website for communications. http://www.clackamastowncenter.com/
Update Wednesday 10:00 am News Conference Update:
Clackamas County Sheriff’s office and Clackamas Town Center officials just released more information regarding yesterdays terrible rampage.
A new specific Tip Line number has been issued to assist in gathering more information : 503- 723-4949
Mr. Steven Matthew Forsyth, a 45 year old West Linn husband and father of 2 has been identified as one of the deceased victims. He was very active in our communities and coached youth sports. Mr. Forsyth ran a kiosk business selling wood carved coasters in the mall.
Cindy Ann Yuille, 54, from Northeast Portland is the second victim who died on scene. She was a mother out for an afternoon of shopping, and has been described as everyone’s friend with a strong spirited personality. Mrs. Yuille was a hospice nurse with Kaiser Permanente and associated with Kaiser for 16 years.
All victims families have asked for privacy.
The shooter was Jacob Tyler Roberts, SE 84th Av. Portland, wearing a load bearing vest and hockey style face mask. Earlier yesterday he stole an AR15 semi automatic rifle from someone he knew. The young man carried several fully loaded magazine clips. Apparently his victims were random. Roberts died on scene from a self inflicted wound as law enforcement closed in.
Our first responders arrived on scene within 1 minute. Teams practiced drills at the Town Center last summer and were prepared for such a horrific incident. They immediately deployed and did not wait for SWAT to arrive.
Sheriff Roberts thanked all surrounding communities for their fast responses as well. The message sent throughout the area was “Send Everybody!” With close to 10,ooo people in the 1.4 million SF facility this could have been a much worse outcome. Sheriff Roberts was grateful Clackamas Town Center management had a plan in place and implemented it. He also said “this is a heart breaking tragedy by any standard,” and pointed out we all need to be thankful this incident wasn’t worse. Contributing factors that helped control the situation included the assailant’s rifle jammed (the shooter was able to clear the jam and continue but it served to give precious moments allowing people to flee), the rapid response and large volume of police officers on scene, and it is important that 10,000 people kept level heads and helped each other. “By coming together is what made the difference.”
This morning our community continues to echo Dennis Curtis, senior general manager of Clackamas Town Center, who said, “I hope you keep the entire community in your hearts and prayers.” The mall continues to be closed today and will also be closed Wednesday. Retailers are asked to watch the mall’s website for further communications.
Update Wednesday 9:00 am:
Clackamas County Sheriff’s officials continue their investigation and plan a 10 a.m. news conference this morning. As of now only Kristina Shevchenko, 15, has been named. Kristina is being treated at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland for multiple gun shot wounds. Life flight was standing by but she was able to be transported by ambulance yesterday. It is reported she is in critical but stable condition and her family has asked for privacy to focus on her healing.
The shooter is said to have been a 22 year old male.
The mall at Clackamas Town Center is one of the largest in the Portland area. It is closed today according to mall officials. CTC is a popular venue for shoppers from Southwest Washington as well as Oregonians. More details regarding Mall business and how to reclaim your personal property will be posted at http://www.clackamastowncenter.com/
Sheriff Craig Roberts 8:22 pm reports:
The Clackamas Town Center Mall will be closed tomorrow Wednesday December 12th.
Four SWAT teams quickly responded this afternoon to this tragedy, along with over one hundred law enforcement officials. Eye witnesses are asked to come forward. All witnesses are being asked to return to a temporary post set up at the Max Center platform. If witnesses do not wish to return tonight, please contact the sheriff’s non-emergency number, 503-655-8211.
About 10,000 employees and Christmas shoppers found themselves caught in this afternoons shooting incident. Officials did an outstanding job in record time with the immensity of the situation – the mall’s footprint covers 1.4 million square feet. Deputies checked store by store and every room and closet as they evacuated people who had taken cover during the rampage. Our own first responders, Clackamas Fire and Boring Fire departments were also on scene.
Sheriff Craig Roberts sent thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. “For all of us, the mall is supposed to be a place we can all take our families, feel comfortable, this is the holidays … these things are never supposed to happen. We have a young lady at the hospital fighting for her life right now,” Roberts said.
Officials ask for people to please be patient and want shoppers and employees to know all belongings left behind are safe. There was no time to collect strollers, car keys, purses, bags, etc. and it will be a huge job to return items but watch the Mall’s website for details on how to get your belongings returned.
The shooter has been tentatively identified but officials will not release his name at this time. Victims names are also not yet released.
Chilling Deadly Drama Unfolds at Clackamas Town Center 3:30pm December 11, 2012
A young male in a hockey mask and gun vest entered the Christmas shopper filled Clackamas Town Center Mall this afternoon with an assault rifle. Multiple shots left 2 victims dead and 1 young woman seriously wounded was taken to OHSU. A teen who has only worked at the Mall for two weeks narrowly escaped harm. The gunman fired at her and missed, then his gun jammed. It is reported the shooter killed himself outside Forever 21.
Shoppers and mall employees were quickly evacuated and many people left behind personal belongings. The mall remains closed but people seeking to claim personal items are asked to watch for details that will eventually be posted at http://www.clackamastowncenter.com/
Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone connected to this terrible tragedy.
Veritas Publishing, Inc. dba The Sunrise Times does not endorse any political candidate, political organization, opinion, columnist, commercial product, process or service. The views expressed in this communication do not necessarily constitute an endorsement, recommendation or favoring by Veritas Publishing, Inc.
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