(MCT) PORTLAND, Ore. — A masked gunman stormed into a crowded mall in the Portland, Ore., area during Christmas season Tuesday afternoon, shouting, “I am the shooter!” and opened fire, killing two people as well as himself, authorities and a witness said.

Christmas music was playing in the Clackamas Town Center when gunfire erupted, one witness told local media. Another said the mall Santa had to drop to the floor to take cover. More than 10,000 shoppers were inside the 185-store mall at the time, officials said.