Shooting spree suspect told ex-girlfriend he wanted to show the world his anger

A MAN accused of going on a shooting spree at a crowded shopping mall in the United States sent a text message to his ex-girlfriend minutes before the rampage saying he was about to show the world his anger, the woman said.

Six people were injured, one critically, in Sunday’s attack in Tacoma, Washington.

Dominick Sergio Maldonado, 20, surrendered four hours after he ducked into a music store and took three hostages, all of whom were released unharmed.

His ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Robison, said in a television interview that he sent her a text message shortly before noon reading: “Today is the day that the world will know my anger.”

She said he also contacted her during the stand-off.

“He called me and said he just shot up the Tacoma Mall and he’s in the Sam Goody taking hostages.”

Bret Strickler, who said he was Maldonado’s best friend, told a Seattle newspaper he received a similar message while Maldonado was holding the hostages.

Authorities began getting calls about 12:15pm that shots had been fired. Police spokesman Mark Fulghum said the first caller said a gunman “was in the mall, walking along, firing”.

State Patrol and police units from nearby agencies clustered around an entrance at the south end.

Inside, Stacy Wilson, 29, heard a popping noise and turned around. She said she heard 15 to 20 shots.

“He was walking backward and shooting. I couldn’t see his face,” she said.

“Everyone was running and screaming.”

A man told KING-TV the gunman was smiling as he fired an assault rifle in bursts of four to five shots.

Maldonado has convictions for burglary, theft and possession of burglary tools and he had been ordered not to possess any weapons, the Times reported.

While the suspect was in the music store, employee Joe Hudson was able to pick up a phone call from The Associated Press and say he and others had been taken hostage. He said little more but could be heard telling others that he was talking to the AP.

Susan Serveau said she called her daughter, Kathy Riggans, 24, manager at Sam Goody, as soon as she heard about the shooting.

She cried with relief when her daughter and the other hostages were released unharmed.

“I’m going to give her a big hug and tell her how much we love her,” she said.

“I’m just happy she’s okay. It’s been nerve-racking, very nerve-racking.”

Maldonado was booked into Pierce County Jail on six counts of assault and three of kidnapping. He was being held on $450,000 (€383, 517) bail.