Oregon mall reopens 3 days after attack

PORTLAND — The Clackamas Town Center shopping mall reopened Friday, three days after a gunman killed two people and wounded a third amid a holiday crowd estimated at 10,000 people.

Among the shoppers gathered for the morning opening was Marion Hango, 84, of Clackamas, who said she wanted to be there to support the workers.

“I’ve been thinking about it for several days, just like everybody else,” she said. “But I felt it was necessary, not just for me, but for everybody else, the people who work here.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The hospital caring for the teenage victim says her condition is now fair. She had been listed in serious condition. The family of Kristina Shevchenko says she is talking with them, and is able to eat and sleep comfortably. The family says they expect a long and slow recovery. She is in the hospital at Oregon Health &Science University.

The mall was closed Wednesday and Thursday as officers worked on their investigation and contractors repaired damage.

The shooter, Jacob Tyler Roberts, killed himself after the attack Tuesday afternoon, authorities have said.

Security precautions were intensified for the reopening, the Clackamas County sheriff’s office said.

“We came in today, but we’re still looking around to see if something is happening,” said Alejandro Hernandez, who works in the food court, the scene of the rampage. “It’s no good.”

At a news conference before the reopening, the mall’s general manager, Dennis Curtis, declined to estimate how much the closure had cost in lost sales. Many retailers depend on holiday shopping for roughly 40 percent of their annual revenue.

“It’s really hard at this time to focus on profits and sales,” he said.

Steve Foltz, who owns the Cinnabon and Jamba Juice franchises in the food court, said he gets chills talking about the quick-thinking his employees displayed during the crisis. They hit the floor, crawled to the backroom and turned off the ringers on cellphones, he said.

Foltz said it’s important to reopen because his workers need money to buy Christmas presents and pay their rent and bills. Though the two-day shutdown will likely affect his bottom line, Foltz recalled that businesses survived a snowstorm that closed the mall a few years ago.

“If business was easy, everybody would do it,” he said. “And it’s not. We just have to deal with it.”

There were few obvious signs that a shooting occurred days earlier. At one point, three young women entered the mall and stood frozen for several seconds. One of the young women, who declined to be interviewed, started crying as her two friends consoled her. The tears dried, and the women headed to the stores.

Words of support — written on silver and red stars — have been placed on the glass railing that surrounds the center of the mall court. Customers are encouraged to add messages to the display, which will remain through the holiday season. One of the stars reads: “Forever in our hearts.” Another says: “12-11-12 never forget.”

One customer who wanted to remember the victims and help the workers is Jaimee Nash, of Portland. She doesn’t usually shop at Clackamas Town Center, but she did so Friday.

“I decided that today would be the best day to show my support, letting everyone know that we can’t let the mad men get us down,” Nash said. “I hope the mall has a great day.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

People listen as the Marysville School Board votes to close an elementary and a middle school in the 2025-26 school year while reconfiguring the district’s elementary schools to a K-6 model on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville schools audit shows some improvement

Even though the district still faces serious financial problems, the findings are a positive change over last year, auditors said.

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Raul Benitez Santana in the courtroom Wednesday. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Jury convicts driver in death of Washington State Patrol trooper

The jury took four hours Wednesday to find Raul Benitez Santana guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.

Lake Stevens honors council member who died in office

Marcus Tageant, 52, served on the Lake Stevens City Council for more than a decade. He died on May 26.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.