Five Dead As Police Search for Motive In Washington

Authorities on Sunday were still working to determine what prompted a 20-year-old man to open fire in a Washington state mall, killing five people.

Police arrested the suspected gunman, Arcan Cetin of Oak Harbor, Washington, on Saturday. Police said he was taken into custody without incident in Oak Harbor, some 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Burlington where the shooting occurred on Friday night.

Cetin opened fire at the Cascade Mall around 7 p.m. local time on Friday in the cosmetics section of a Macy's department store, police said, killing four women as well as one man who died later at a hospital.

Police said what motivated Cetin's rampage remains unclear. The FBI said while they had no indication the attack was a "terrorism act," it could not be ruled out

Police described Cetin's demeanour when apprehended as "zombie like," and said he was unarmed. Police said Cetin was born in Turkey, but described his status as that of a "legal, permanent resident" in the United States.

Authorities have not identified the victims, but local media said they ranged in age from mid-teens to mid-90s, and included a mother and her daughter.

Surveillance video from the mall in Burlington, around 65 miles (105 km) north of Seattle, showed the gunman brandishing the weapon, police said. Police said the gun was later recovered at the mall.

The mall attack followed a series of violent outbursts at shopping centres across the United States, including the stabbing of nine people at a Minnesota centre last weekend.

Police said Cetin is set to appear in court on Monday.

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.