Man Shoots Ex-Wife At CA Mall, Sending Customers Running

THOUSAND OAKS, CA -- A man shot and killed his ex-wife Saturday at a popular southern California mall, sending dozens of people running from the stores while others hid behind closed doors. The incident happened around 2:15 p.m. at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

Sgt. Eric Buschow said the shooting that caused panic among customers and employees throughout the shopping center appeared to be a case of domestic violence. The man, a 33-year-old Los Angeles resident, apparently went into the Paper Source where his ex-wife, a 30-year-old Thousand Oaks, worked.

The two had a verbal dispute before the man shot his ex-wife. He then shot himself. The man survived but was critically injured, Buschow said.

Buschow said the couple also have children and that they are safe.

Numerous customers and employees tweeted about the incident as deputies swarmed the mall. Some Twitter users said they ran from the mall, while others said they were on lockdown. The public was told to stay away as officials searched for the suspect.

Thousand Oaks is about 40 miles from the city of Los Angeles.

--Patch file photo