Multiple stabbings in Massachusetts town, 2 killed, attacker shot dead

[NEW YORK] An assailant stabbed at least four people, killing two, Tuesday at a home and a shopping mall in the US state of Massachusetts before an off-duty security officer shot the suspect to death, police said.

The suspect first stabbed two people at a home in Taunton, south of Boston. Police said he may have been involved in a car crash in that area prior to the stabbings.

Shortly after 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), the assailant then drove a car into the glass entrance at a Macy's department store at the city's Silver City Galleria, Massachusetts State Police said.

He stabbed two more people at a restaurant in the mall.

"There is no continuing threat to the public," police said.

"The suspect's motive remains under investigation but at this point we are aware of no nexus to terrorism."

Taunton Police also responded to the tragedy.

"I heard shots and saw cops loading AR-15s and I ran for my life," one witness told CBS affiliate WBZ.

Another said shots rang out in Bertucci's restaurant at the shopping center.

AFP