3 killed in US shopping centre shooting

2012-08-31 15:46

Video footage shows the shooting in New Jersey. (Screenshot)

New York - A shooting early on Friday at a shopping centre in a New York suburb has left three people dead, including the alleged gunman, local media reported.

The shooting took place around 08:00 inside a Pathmark store in the town of Old Bridge in the state of New Jersey, broadcaster WABC reported on its website.

Store employees were apparently stocking shelves when the gunman entered. Authorities believe he killed two people before committing suicide, according to WABC.

It was not clear how many people were shot before police arrived on the scene.

The Asbury Park Press, a local newspaper, quoted Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry saying that the killer was an ex-marine who arrived at the supermarket wearing camouflage and carrying a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a pistol.

He shot a young man and a young woman dead, then himself, the mayor was quoted as saying. The shooter had been working at the store for about two weeks, according to the report.

Authorities could not immediately be reached for confirmation.

- AFP