Clackamas Town Center Shooting
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Clackamas, Oregon
TIME PERIOD
December 11, 2012
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
On December 11, 2012, at approximately 3:28 PM, a mass shooting occurred at Clackamas Town Center in Clackamas, Oregon, just outside Portland. The perpetrator, 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts, entered the mall armed with a stolen Stag Arms AR-15 rifle and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and serious injuries to a third. Roberts, who had no known connection to his victims, subsequently retreated to an employee-only area where he committed suicide after attempting to reload his weapon. The incident is believed to have been a random act of violence, with motives possibly linked to depression and suicidal ideation. As of now, the case remains closed following the perpetrator's death, and memorials have been established to honor the victims.
Jacob Tyler Roberts is believed to have acted randomly, with no connections to his victims, leading to speculation that his motives may have stemmed from personal issues such as depression and suicidal ideation. Some theorize that the choice of a shopping center as a location indicates a desire for notoriety or to create chaos in a public space. Additionally, there is speculation about whether the incident could have been prevented if there had been stricter gun control measures in place.
The Tragedy at Clackamas Town Center: A Day of Chaos and Loss
A Dark Day in Oregon
On December 11, 2012, a typical day at the Clackamas Town Center, a bustling shopping hub just outside Portland, Oregon, was shattered by an unimaginable event that would leave a lasting mark on the community. Jacob Tyler Roberts, a 22-year-old man dressed in black and wearing a white, expressionless mask, entered the mall and unleashed a random act of violence that would claim three lives, including his own, and leave another person seriously injured.
Prelude to Tragedy
In the days leading up to the shooting, Jacob Tyler Roberts acquired a Stag Arms STAG-15 semi-automatic rifle, stolen from a friend's home. That friend was unaware of Roberts's intentions. Shortly before the incident, Roberts visited another friend just two miles from the mall, sharing marijuana and talk of a new life in Hawaii, a plan that would never materialize.
Roberts then drove to the Clackamas Town Center, parking his vehicle between Macy's and Chipotle Mexican Grill. At 3:28 p.m., he stormed into the mall through Macy's, armed with the rifle and carrying five loaded magazines. One of these magazines slipped from his grasp in the parking lot, an ominous sign of the chaos to come.
The Shooting Unfolds
In the atrium of the mall, Roberts opened fire for the first time. His initial target was the crowded food court, a lively area that soon became a scene of panic. His first victim was Cindy Ann Yuille, a 54-year-old hospice nurse and mother of two. Despite the efforts of bystanders to save her, she succumbed to her injuries. Kristina Shevchenko, a 15-year-old girl, was next. She was struck in the chest but managed to escape the mall, receiving urgent medical attention for her wound.
The third, and final, victim of Roberts's shooting spree was Steven Forsyth, 45, a youth sports coach and father of future NFL player Alex Forsyth. Engrossed in a phone conversation with his father, Steven was shot in the head and killed as he sat by a kiosk.
As the sound of gunfire echoed through the mall, hundreds of shoppers fled in terror, while others sought refuge in whatever hiding places they could find. Roberts advanced toward the food court, firing at but missing 16-year-old Alina Pavlenko. In the chaos, he dropped three more magazines and his weapon jammed as he attempted to reload near a JCPenney store.
Amid the turmoil, Nick Meli, a concealed carry permit holder, drew his Glock 22, aiming at Roberts but refraining from firing due to a bystander in the line of fire. Meli believes Roberts saw him, which might have influenced his subsequent actions.
The Final Moments
Roberts retreated into a back storage corridor, unexpectedly confronting employee Rok Sang Kim. Despite pointing his weapon at Kim, Roberts chose not to shoot, fleeing down a stairwell to a lower level. There, at 3:50 p.m., Roberts ended his own life.
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement and emergency responders descended on the scene, prepared for mass casualties. However, Kristina Shevchenko was the only survivor treated for a serious gunshot wound. Roberts had fired just 17 rounds, including the one used to take his own life, leaving behind 128 unfired rounds in the magazines he dropped.
Among those affected was Vanessa Ogden, a manager at the Justice store. Pregnant at the time, she sheltered shoppers in a backroom. Tragically, she suffered strokes from unknown causes and passed away in February 2013 after being removed from life support.
The Impact and Investigation
The Clackamas Town Center remained under lockdown the following day as authorities confirmed the randomness of Roberts's attack. His motives remained unclear, though some speculated that depression and suicidal ideation played a role.
Roberts, born March 16, 1990, in Portland, had a troubled past. Raised by his aunt Tami after his mother died of cancer, he was estranged from his aunt due to undisclosed reasons. He had recently sold his belongings, resigned from his job, and claimed to be planning a move to Hawaii. In the month before the shooting, he purchased additional ammunition and magazines.
National Reaction
The tragedy at Clackamas Town Center resonated across the nation. President Barack Obama mentioned the incident in a speech addressing the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. On March 28, 2013, a candlelight vigil was held at the mall, part of a national initiative against gun violence.
Remembering the Victims
The lives of Cindy Ann Yuille and Steven Forsyth ended abruptly on that December day, leaving behind grieving families and a community in mourning. Kristina Shevchenko, though recovering from her injury, bore the scars of a day that forever changed her life.
Sources
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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Clackamas Town Center Shooting
Jacob Tyler Roberts opens fire in the mall, killing two and injuring one before committing suicide.
First Victim Shot
Cindy Ann Yuille, a 54-year-old shopper, is shot and killed by Roberts.
Second Victim Shot
Fifteen-year-old Kristina Shevchenko is shot in the chest but survives.
Third Victim Shot
Steven Forsyth, a 45-year-old coach, is shot and killed while on the phone.
Roberts Commits Suicide
After the shooting, Roberts enters a back stairwell and commits suicide.
Police Investigation Begins
Authorities begin investigating the shooting and searching for evidence.
Vanessa Ogden Dies
Vanessa Ogden, a pregnant woman affected by the shooting, dies after being taken off life support.
Candlelight Vigil
A vigil is held at the mall to commemorate the victims and protest gun violence.
On December 11, 2012, at approximately 3:28 PM, a mass shooting occurred at Clackamas Town Center in Clackamas, Oregon, just outside Portland. The perpetrator, 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts, entered the mall armed with a stolen Stag Arms AR-15 rifle and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and serious injuries to a third. Roberts, who had no known connection to his victims, subsequently retreated to an employee-only area where he committed suicide after attempting to reload his weapon. The incident is believed to have been a random act of violence, with motives possibly linked to depression and suicidal ideation. As of now, the case remains closed following the perpetrator's death, and memorials have been established to honor the victims.
Jacob Tyler Roberts is believed to have acted randomly, with no connections to his victims, leading to speculation that his motives may have stemmed from personal issues such as depression and suicidal ideation. Some theorize that the choice of a shopping center as a location indicates a desire for notoriety or to create chaos in a public space. Additionally, there is speculation about whether the incident could have been prevented if there had been stricter gun control measures in place.
The Tragedy at Clackamas Town Center: A Day of Chaos and Loss
A Dark Day in Oregon
On December 11, 2012, a typical day at the Clackamas Town Center, a bustling shopping hub just outside Portland, Oregon, was shattered by an unimaginable event that would leave a lasting mark on the community. Jacob Tyler Roberts, a 22-year-old man dressed in black and wearing a white, expressionless mask, entered the mall and unleashed a random act of violence that would claim three lives, including his own, and leave another person seriously injured.
Prelude to Tragedy
In the days leading up to the shooting, Jacob Tyler Roberts acquired a Stag Arms STAG-15 semi-automatic rifle, stolen from a friend's home. That friend was unaware of Roberts's intentions. Shortly before the incident, Roberts visited another friend just two miles from the mall, sharing marijuana and talk of a new life in Hawaii, a plan that would never materialize.
Roberts then drove to the Clackamas Town Center, parking his vehicle between Macy's and Chipotle Mexican Grill. At 3:28 p.m., he stormed into the mall through Macy's, armed with the rifle and carrying five loaded magazines. One of these magazines slipped from his grasp in the parking lot, an ominous sign of the chaos to come.
The Shooting Unfolds
In the atrium of the mall, Roberts opened fire for the first time. His initial target was the crowded food court, a lively area that soon became a scene of panic. His first victim was Cindy Ann Yuille, a 54-year-old hospice nurse and mother of two. Despite the efforts of bystanders to save her, she succumbed to her injuries. Kristina Shevchenko, a 15-year-old girl, was next. She was struck in the chest but managed to escape the mall, receiving urgent medical attention for her wound.
The third, and final, victim of Roberts's shooting spree was Steven Forsyth, 45, a youth sports coach and father of future NFL player Alex Forsyth. Engrossed in a phone conversation with his father, Steven was shot in the head and killed as he sat by a kiosk.
As the sound of gunfire echoed through the mall, hundreds of shoppers fled in terror, while others sought refuge in whatever hiding places they could find. Roberts advanced toward the food court, firing at but missing 16-year-old Alina Pavlenko. In the chaos, he dropped three more magazines and his weapon jammed as he attempted to reload near a JCPenney store.
Amid the turmoil, Nick Meli, a concealed carry permit holder, drew his Glock 22, aiming at Roberts but refraining from firing due to a bystander in the line of fire. Meli believes Roberts saw him, which might have influenced his subsequent actions.
The Final Moments
Roberts retreated into a back storage corridor, unexpectedly confronting employee Rok Sang Kim. Despite pointing his weapon at Kim, Roberts chose not to shoot, fleeing down a stairwell to a lower level. There, at 3:50 p.m., Roberts ended his own life.
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement and emergency responders descended on the scene, prepared for mass casualties. However, Kristina Shevchenko was the only survivor treated for a serious gunshot wound. Roberts had fired just 17 rounds, including the one used to take his own life, leaving behind 128 unfired rounds in the magazines he dropped.
Among those affected was Vanessa Ogden, a manager at the Justice store. Pregnant at the time, she sheltered shoppers in a backroom. Tragically, she suffered strokes from unknown causes and passed away in February 2013 after being removed from life support.
The Impact and Investigation
The Clackamas Town Center remained under lockdown the following day as authorities confirmed the randomness of Roberts's attack. His motives remained unclear, though some speculated that depression and suicidal ideation played a role.
Roberts, born March 16, 1990, in Portland, had a troubled past. Raised by his aunt Tami after his mother died of cancer, he was estranged from his aunt due to undisclosed reasons. He had recently sold his belongings, resigned from his job, and claimed to be planning a move to Hawaii. In the month before the shooting, he purchased additional ammunition and magazines.
National Reaction
The tragedy at Clackamas Town Center resonated across the nation. President Barack Obama mentioned the incident in a speech addressing the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. On March 28, 2013, a candlelight vigil was held at the mall, part of a national initiative against gun violence.
Remembering the Victims
The lives of Cindy Ann Yuille and Steven Forsyth ended abruptly on that December day, leaving behind grieving families and a community in mourning. Kristina Shevchenko, though recovering from her injury, bore the scars of a day that forever changed her life.
Sources
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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
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Clackamas Town Center Shooting
Jacob Tyler Roberts opens fire in the mall, killing two and injuring one before committing suicide.
First Victim Shot
Cindy Ann Yuille, a 54-year-old shopper, is shot and killed by Roberts.
Second Victim Shot
Fifteen-year-old Kristina Shevchenko is shot in the chest but survives.
Third Victim Shot
Steven Forsyth, a 45-year-old coach, is shot and killed while on the phone.
Roberts Commits Suicide
After the shooting, Roberts enters a back stairwell and commits suicide.
Police Investigation Begins
Authorities begin investigating the shooting and searching for evidence.
Vanessa Ogden Dies
Vanessa Ogden, a pregnant woman affected by the shooting, dies after being taken off life support.
Candlelight Vigil
A vigil is held at the mall to commemorate the victims and protest gun violence.