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Suspect in deadly Washington mall shooting arrested

A 20-year-old Turkish immigrant was arrested Saturday in the murders of five people in a Washington state shopping mall, authorities said.

Multiple tips and video footage of the suspect’s vehicle outside the mall led police to Arcan Cetin, who was was arrested near his home in Oak Harbor, Wash., 28 miles southwest of the crime scene.

Meanwhile, the first details were released on the victims. The youngest was a cancer survivor and high school senior. She was just 16 years old.

Officers of the Island County Sheriff’s Office said they were driving through Oak Harbor in search of Cetin when they spotted him walking on the street about 6:30 p.m.

“We both jumped out with our guns drawn and detained him,” said Lt. Mike Hawley, who called Cetin “zombie-like.”

“He didn’t run,” Hawley said.

The suspect was unarmed, said the officer, and was carrying a computer and some personal items in a bag. The weapon believed to have been used in the murders was recovered in the mall.

Cetin’s motive remained unclear Saturday night.

His Facebook page says he attended Oak Harbor High School and bagged groceries at the Whidbey Island Commissary, which serves area Navy families.

Officials said Cetin is a legal permanent resident, but not a US citizen.

Sarai Lara, one of the victims identified in the shooting.Facebook

He has a record for a minor assault, and had completed court-ordered mental-health counseling.

Mall video shows Cetin allegedly initially walked into the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Wash., Friday night unarmed. He apparently left, but soon returned with a tote bag big enough to hold a disassembled rifle.

In all, he spent just 10 minutes in the mall.

The youngest victim was named by the Seattle Times as Sarai Lara, 16, who survived cancer as a young girl.

Her mother said Sarai was a happy, driven and responsible student.

The victims ranged in age from a teenager to seniors, police said.

With Post Wire Services

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Authorities investigate a deadly shooting in the Macy's store at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Wash.AP
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