Police said that they were looking for the suspect who went on a shooting spree at 11 am in the Lane Bryant apparel store for plus size women in Tinley Park.

The authorities have not identified the victims — which may include one or more employees besides the shoppers — while their families are being contacted.

Investigators are not clear of the shooter’s motive, but believe it could be a case of botched robbery attempt.

Customers terrified
Immediately after arriving on the scene, the police searched for the gunman in nearby stores, leaving customers terrified.

“I was so scared I couldn’t think,” said Selena Kujawa, who had just entered Target supermarket with her five-year-old son when it was locked down.

The Chicago police department has warned its officers to pay attention to strip malls — shopping centre where the shops are arranged in a row — and other Lane Bryant stores.

Footage
They were also downloading footage from CCTV cameras mounted at nearby stores.

Police allowed some shoppers into parts of the Tinley Park mall later on Saturday, but cordoned off Lane Bryant store.

In another shopping mall shootout incident that took place two months ago, a gunman shot dead around nine people and five were injured in a mall in Omaha, Nebraska, before taking his own life.