Howard County Police Confirm Shooting at the Columbia Mall in Columbia, MD (Update: 3 People Dead, 5 Hurt) (Update: Victims, Brianna Benlolo & Tyler Johnson) (Update: Police ID Shooter as 19 Year Old Darion Marcus Aguilar)

BREAKING: Shooting has been reported at the Columbia Mall in Columbia, Maryland

The Howard County Fire Department is reporting an active shooter situation at the Mall in Columbia. Both the Howard County police and fire departments are on the scene. The fire department is advising people to avoid the area.

The Howard County Police confirmed that they were responding to a shooting at the mall, but they could not confirm whether anyone had been injured or shots had been fired.

The Mall at Columbia is a “gun free” zone … in other words, an easy target for those who could care less about the laws and look to kill people.

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FACEBOOK – Howard County Police:

There has been a shooting incident at the Columbia mall. No additional details yet. Public Information Officer enroute. Will update ASAP.

UPDATE I: Howard County police tweeted:

“There has been a shooting incident at the Columbia mall. No additional details yet. PIO en route. Will update ASAP.” PIO is public information officer.

Howard Count Department of Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Denise Weist told WTOP radio the department received the call at about 11:15 a.m. Saturday. Police and fire officials are on the scene. There are no immediate reports of injuries.

UPDATE II: Howard County Fire & Rescue – Twitter.

Emergency at Columbia Mall reported active shooter, the mall is in lock down and people are asked to avoid the area.

UPDATE III: CNN is reporting that Hoard County Police are confirming that 3 people are dead. … Baltimore Sun also reporting 3 people are dead, one considered shooter.

Authorities Saturday were investigating reports of an active shooter at a shopping mall in Columbia, Maryland.

There was no word on injuries but local scanner reports had authorities requesting multiple mass casualty units.

UPDATE IV: One individual reported deceased near gun and ammo (VIDEO, could be the shooter.

“@HCPDNews: One deceased subject located near gun and ammunition. ID unknown.” #HoCo911

— Howard Co Fire & EMS (@HCDFRS) January 25, 2014

UPDATE V: Mall supposedly Secure, police clearing Mall, there will be a press conference at sear Sears at 1:15 pm ET.

UPDATE VI: Victims of Maryland mall shooting identified.

The suspect, armed with a shotgun, was among the victims at The Mall in Columbia, Howard County Police Chief Bill McMahon said. Police said a fourth victim was being treated for a gunshot wound to the foot. Four other people either suffered from medical conditions or suffered minor injuries such as twisted ankles, he said.

Brianna Benlolo, 21, of College Park, Md., and Tyler Johnson, 25, of Ellicott City, Md., were killed, police said. The identity of the gunman had not been released.

McMahon said the bodies were found in Zumiez, an apparel store catering to skaters, surfers and snowboarders, on the mall’s upper level. Benlolo and Johnson were employees of the store, he said. The shooter’s body was found still laden with ammunition, so McMahon said caution was being used and an identity had not been made.

UPDATE VII: Howard County police 4 p.m. news conference on mall shooting.

UPDATE VIII: Police ID mall shooter as 19 year old Darion Marcus Aguilar.

Darion Marcus Aguilar, a 19-year-old College Park resident, has been identified by police as the assailant in Saturday’s shooting at the Mall in Columbia, which left three people dead, including the shooter.

Although one of the victims, Brianna Benlolo, 21, also lived in College Park, police have not established a connection between Aguilar and the victims, Howard County Police Chief William J. McMahon said at a Sunday morning news conference.