Arcan Cetin
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Burlington, Washington
TIME PERIOD
September 23, 2016
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
On September 23, 2016, at approximately 6:52 PM PDT, a mass shooting occurred at Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including a teenage girl and four adults. The perpetrator, Arcan Cetin, a 20-year-old male who emigrated from Turkey, entered a Macy's store armed with a stolen Ruger 10/22 rifle and opened fire on random victims before fleeing the scene in a blue four-door vehicle. Cetin was apprehended the following day in Oak Harbor, Washington, and confessed to the crime shortly thereafter. He died by suicide in his jail cell on April 16, 2017, marking the case as closed without further legal proceedings. Significant evidence includes video footage from the store that captured the shooting and the weapon used in the attack.
Arcan Cetin's actions during the shooting have led to speculation about whether he intended to create a diversion similar to the Aurora theater shooting by propping open the exit door. Some believe that Cetin's background as an immigrant may have influenced his motivations, sparking discussions about mental health and societal pressures faced by individuals in similar situations. Additionally, there are theories regarding the potential for a larger conspiracy or connection to extremist ideologies, although no substantial evidence has been presented to support these claims.
The Cascade Mall Shooting: A Tragedy in Burlington
A Chilling Evening
It was a seemingly ordinary Friday evening on September 23, 2016, when the tranquil atmosphere of Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, was shattered by a horrifying act of violence. The clock had just ticked past 6:52 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time when Arcan Cetin, a 20-year-old man who had emigrated from Turkey as a child, unleashed terror within the walls of Macy's department store. Armed with a stolen Ruger 10/22 rifle, Cetin coldly took the lives of five innocent people.
The Unfolding Horror
Earlier that evening, Cetin had purchased a ticket to a screening of the film "Snowden" at the mall's theater. With a calculated move reminiscent of the infamous 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting, he propped open an exit door with his cell phone. However, a vigilant theater associate discovered the phone and handed it over to the theater's kiosk. Undeterred, Cetin reclaimed his phone and moved on to his gruesome mission.
As the evening wore on, Cetin entered Macy's and began his rampage. The first victim was a teenage girl near the clothing racks, followed by three women and a man at the cosmetics counter. The man succumbed to his injuries the next day in a Seattle hospital, having suffered three gunshot wounds, including one to the head. The attack was captured on video, released on October 28, depicting the gunman targeting his victims with chilling randomness.
The Victims
The lives lost that night were diverse, each with their own stories and loved ones left behind. Sixteen-year-old Sarai Lara, a cancer survivor and a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School, was among the victims. Chuck Eagan, 61, a Boeing maintenance worker from Lake Stevens, had been out shopping with his wife. Belinda Galde, 64, a probation officer with Snohomish County District Court, and her 95-year-old mother, Beatrice Dotson, were also killed. Finally, Shayla Martin, 52, a make-up artist at Macy's, lost her life in the tragic incident.
The Perpetrator
Arcan Cetin, the man behind the massacre, was born in Adana, Turkey, on August 20, 1996. He immigrated to the United States after his mother remarried a U.S. citizen. Initially identified as a "permanent resident," it was later confirmed that Cetin was a naturalized American citizen. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 2015 and worked at the Commissary in Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Cetin's arrest occurred without incident the following evening, September 24, in his hometown of Oak Harbor, Washington. Two days later, he confessed to the killings. Despite this confession, the motive behind his actions remained a mystery to the authorities, who found no immediate connection to terrorism.
Legal Proceedings and Tragic Conclusion
Cetin faced charges of aggravated murder, upgraded from the initial charge of first-degree premeditated murder. The gravity of the charges reflected the heinous nature of the crime, carrying the potential penalty of life imprisonment without parole or even the death penalty at the time.
In the months prior to the shooting, Cetin had been involved in several legal issues, including seven cases in Island County District Court from 2013 to 2015. He was arrested in July 2015 for fourth-degree assault and was required to undergo mental health counseling, which he completed in March 2016.
On April 16, 2017, the story took another tragic turn when Cetin was found dead in his jail cell, having hanged himself. An investigation by the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office confirmed his death as suicide.
The Mystery of Motive
Despite intense scrutiny, the motive behind Cetin's actions remained elusive. Before his arrest, authorities were cautious not to label the incident as terrorism. Cetin, when questioned, expressed an interest in ISIS but could not confirm whether the group had inspired his actions. Social media posts revealed a troubling fascination with figures like serial killer Ted Bundy and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, yet no clear motive emerged.
There were speculations of personal turmoil; reports suggested a possible link to a breakup with a former Macy's employee. However, this ex-girlfriend had not worked at the store for months and lived in another county. Witnesses claimed Cetin called out women's names during the shooting, further deepening the enigma.
A Systemic Flaw Exposed
In the aftermath, Cetin's voting history came under scrutiny. Initially, it appeared he had voted illegally, as non-citizens were not allowed to vote. However, it was later confirmed that Cetin was indeed a naturalized citizen, casting votes legally. This revelation highlighted flaws in the voter registration system, prompting Washington's Secretary of State Kim Wyman to advocate for legislative changes.
Sources
For further detailed examination of the case, you can refer to the original article on Wikipedia.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Cascade Mall Shooting
Arcan Cetin opens fire in Macy's, killing five.
Suspect Arrested
Arcan Cetin is arrested in Oak Harbor, Washington.
Cetin Confesses
Arcan Cetin confesses to the shooting during interrogation.
Mental Evaluation Granted
Judge grants defense motion for mental evaluation of Cetin.
Cetin Commits Suicide
Arcan Cetin dies by suicide in his jail cell.
On September 23, 2016, at approximately 6:52 PM PDT, a mass shooting occurred at Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including a teenage girl and four adults. The perpetrator, Arcan Cetin, a 20-year-old male who emigrated from Turkey, entered a Macy's store armed with a stolen Ruger 10/22 rifle and opened fire on random victims before fleeing the scene in a blue four-door vehicle. Cetin was apprehended the following day in Oak Harbor, Washington, and confessed to the crime shortly thereafter. He died by suicide in his jail cell on April 16, 2017, marking the case as closed without further legal proceedings. Significant evidence includes video footage from the store that captured the shooting and the weapon used in the attack.
Arcan Cetin's actions during the shooting have led to speculation about whether he intended to create a diversion similar to the Aurora theater shooting by propping open the exit door. Some believe that Cetin's background as an immigrant may have influenced his motivations, sparking discussions about mental health and societal pressures faced by individuals in similar situations. Additionally, there are theories regarding the potential for a larger conspiracy or connection to extremist ideologies, although no substantial evidence has been presented to support these claims.
The Cascade Mall Shooting: A Tragedy in Burlington
A Chilling Evening
It was a seemingly ordinary Friday evening on September 23, 2016, when the tranquil atmosphere of Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, was shattered by a horrifying act of violence. The clock had just ticked past 6:52 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time when Arcan Cetin, a 20-year-old man who had emigrated from Turkey as a child, unleashed terror within the walls of Macy's department store. Armed with a stolen Ruger 10/22 rifle, Cetin coldly took the lives of five innocent people.
The Unfolding Horror
Earlier that evening, Cetin had purchased a ticket to a screening of the film "Snowden" at the mall's theater. With a calculated move reminiscent of the infamous 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting, he propped open an exit door with his cell phone. However, a vigilant theater associate discovered the phone and handed it over to the theater's kiosk. Undeterred, Cetin reclaimed his phone and moved on to his gruesome mission.
As the evening wore on, Cetin entered Macy's and began his rampage. The first victim was a teenage girl near the clothing racks, followed by three women and a man at the cosmetics counter. The man succumbed to his injuries the next day in a Seattle hospital, having suffered three gunshot wounds, including one to the head. The attack was captured on video, released on October 28, depicting the gunman targeting his victims with chilling randomness.
The Victims
The lives lost that night were diverse, each with their own stories and loved ones left behind. Sixteen-year-old Sarai Lara, a cancer survivor and a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School, was among the victims. Chuck Eagan, 61, a Boeing maintenance worker from Lake Stevens, had been out shopping with his wife. Belinda Galde, 64, a probation officer with Snohomish County District Court, and her 95-year-old mother, Beatrice Dotson, were also killed. Finally, Shayla Martin, 52, a make-up artist at Macy's, lost her life in the tragic incident.
The Perpetrator
Arcan Cetin, the man behind the massacre, was born in Adana, Turkey, on August 20, 1996. He immigrated to the United States after his mother remarried a U.S. citizen. Initially identified as a "permanent resident," it was later confirmed that Cetin was a naturalized American citizen. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 2015 and worked at the Commissary in Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Cetin's arrest occurred without incident the following evening, September 24, in his hometown of Oak Harbor, Washington. Two days later, he confessed to the killings. Despite this confession, the motive behind his actions remained a mystery to the authorities, who found no immediate connection to terrorism.
Legal Proceedings and Tragic Conclusion
Cetin faced charges of aggravated murder, upgraded from the initial charge of first-degree premeditated murder. The gravity of the charges reflected the heinous nature of the crime, carrying the potential penalty of life imprisonment without parole or even the death penalty at the time.
In the months prior to the shooting, Cetin had been involved in several legal issues, including seven cases in Island County District Court from 2013 to 2015. He was arrested in July 2015 for fourth-degree assault and was required to undergo mental health counseling, which he completed in March 2016.
On April 16, 2017, the story took another tragic turn when Cetin was found dead in his jail cell, having hanged himself. An investigation by the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office confirmed his death as suicide.
The Mystery of Motive
Despite intense scrutiny, the motive behind Cetin's actions remained elusive. Before his arrest, authorities were cautious not to label the incident as terrorism. Cetin, when questioned, expressed an interest in ISIS but could not confirm whether the group had inspired his actions. Social media posts revealed a troubling fascination with figures like serial killer Ted Bundy and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, yet no clear motive emerged.
There were speculations of personal turmoil; reports suggested a possible link to a breakup with a former Macy's employee. However, this ex-girlfriend had not worked at the store for months and lived in another county. Witnesses claimed Cetin called out women's names during the shooting, further deepening the enigma.
A Systemic Flaw Exposed
In the aftermath, Cetin's voting history came under scrutiny. Initially, it appeared he had voted illegally, as non-citizens were not allowed to vote. However, it was later confirmed that Cetin was indeed a naturalized citizen, casting votes legally. This revelation highlighted flaws in the voter registration system, prompting Washington's Secretary of State Kim Wyman to advocate for legislative changes.
Sources
For further detailed examination of the case, you can refer to the original article on Wikipedia.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Cascade Mall Shooting
Arcan Cetin opens fire in Macy's, killing five.
Suspect Arrested
Arcan Cetin is arrested in Oak Harbor, Washington.
Cetin Confesses
Arcan Cetin confesses to the shooting during interrogation.
Mental Evaluation Granted
Judge grants defense motion for mental evaluation of Cetin.
Cetin Commits Suicide
Arcan Cetin dies by suicide in his jail cell.