Report: Shooter terrorizes Garden State Plaza, Paramus, N.J.; kills self

Paramus, N.J. – A lone gunman who entered the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J., with an assault rifle the evening of Nov. 4 and went on an hours-long shooting rampage has reportedly been found dead of what appears to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the body of 20-year-old Richard Shoop of Teaneck, N.J., was found by authorities at 3:20 a.m. on Nov. 5 in an area of the mall usually not accessible to customers.



Shoop, who authorities described as an unemployed known drug abuser who may have had a criminal record, reportedly entered the mall, which includes more than 300 stores, with a .22 assault rifle and spent several hours roaming around, firing at least six bullets. He did not kill or injure any shoppers or police and several customers said he did not shoot them although he had opportunity, leading police to believe his intention was to cause his own death without hurting anyone else.



Shoop borrowed the gun without permission from his brother, who legally owned it. Police evacuated customers and employees from the mall throughout the night in small groups as they searched the entire complex for him.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)