Four reported dead in clothing store attack

“Multiple” victims were found today at a clothing store in a strip mall of a Chicago suburb, but there was no sign of the shooter, authorities said.

They did not immediately confirm a report that four people had been killed.

Police Sergeant TJ Grady said officers responding to a 911 call about a shooting at the Brookside Marketplace at about 10.45am found the shooting victims inside a Lane Bryant store.

Mr Grady refused to give other details at a news conference or take questions, but said the attacker had apparently left the area in the suburbs south-west of downtown Chicago.

“No motive has been established,” Mr Grady said. “Every store was immediately canvassed and a search by air, too, has given us every indication that the offender has left the scene.”

Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil had told the Chicago Tribune earlier that police reported four deaths.

Mr Grady said police were looking for a black man about 5ft (1.5m) 9in (23cm) tall and weighing 230 to 260 pounds (104.33kg to 117.94kg), dressed in a black waist-length winter coat, a black cap and black jeans.

Police allowed some shoppers into parts of the strip mall this afternoon, but they cordoned off the Lane Bryant store.

Tracy Caccavella said she was shopping at a Pet Smart store across the parking lot late this morning when police entered the pet supply store.

“Six police entered the store with their hands on their gun holsters,” Ms Caccavella said.

The officers left after searching the Pet Smart store, she said.

There was no immediate response to calls seeking comment from Lane Bryant Brand headquarters.