At least two people are dead and several others injured after a man started shooting in a shopping center outside Portland, Oregon.

It happened Tuesday afternoon in a suburb called Happy Valley during the busy Christmas shopping season.

Local media say the man used a semi-automatic rifle and opened fire near the malls food court.

Police and fire officials began evacuating shoppers as they searched for the suspect.

Witnesses say people were terrified and ran for cover when they heard the shots.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) TYLOR PEDERSON, WITNESS, SAYING:

"I was inside applying for a job and next thing I know I see a few people running into Sears and away from the middle of the mall saying that they heard shots and there was a shooting going on. I wasn't sure if it was for real at first until I seen the reaction on their faces that they were serious and very quickly the managers started getting everyone away from the entrance of the Sears store and closing down the big doors and locking down the doors."

Police say the shooter has also been killed.