Police: Mall shooting victims worked at skate shop

UPDATE (5:50 p.m. EST): Police have identified two people killed earlier today by a gunman who opened fire at a shopping mall in Columbia, Md.

Brianna Benlolo, 21, and Tyler Johnson, 25, both worked for Zumiez, a store that sold skate apparel and accessories. Police found their bodies outside the store.

Officials still have not identified the gunman, who apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police did not fire any shots when they arrived at the mall.

Officials said they feared the shooter might be carrying explosives, which has slowed down efforts to find out his name.

EARLIER STORY: According to police in Maryland, three people died in a shooting this morning at a shopping mall in Columbia, Md., including the presumed gunman.

Howard County Police said via Twitter that a shooting took place at the Mall in Columbia, located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Authorities received a call to 911 at around 11:15 a.m. from someone reporting that shots had been fired. Police responded to the scene and found three people dead, including one person who was found near gun and ammunition.

Police said they believed that the shooter was one of people found dead. No information was available on the two other people killed. Later, police said that two people with minor injuries were transported to a hospital for treatment.

In a tweet sent out at about 12:36 p.m. the police said the scene was “believed to be secure.”

The mall opens at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. Witnesses said they heard a succession of gunshots fired near the food court on the first floor of the mall.

People were directed out of the mall and into a parking lot, where some boarded a bus and others walked toward their cars. Some people were seen crying.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.