5 killed as gunman opens fire in Utah mall

SALT LAKE CITY (Utah): Five people were killed on Monday after a gunman opened fire in a crowded Salt Lake City shopping mall, police said.

Salt Lake City police spokesperson Robin Snyder said the gunman was among the dead but would not give details on fatalities or injuries, as local media reported up to five people had been killed in the shooting.

"We have multiple fatalities," Snyder said. "Several people have critical injuries."   

It was not immediately clear whether the gunman had been shot by police who sealed off the busy Trolley Square shopping mall or whether he had turned his gun upon himself.

Witnesses told local media the shooting started when a man wearing a trench coat and carrying backpack produced a pump-action shotgun and began firing at random.