Four women are dead and a man critically injured after a mass shooting at a shopping center in Burlington, Washington.

Washington police are hunting for a “Hispanic male” wearing a black T-shirt armed with a rifle who opened fire in the shopping mall near Seattle.

The Cascade Mall and nearby shops have been evacuated and police have asked the public to stay away. The motive for the attack is not clear.

Image source Washington State Patrol

The suspect was seen heading towards the Interstate 5.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Mark Francis said the fatalities had taken place inside Macy’s department store.

Emergency medical teams had entered the shopping mall “to attend to injured” and people were being evacuated to a nearby church, he said.

Mark Francis said the gunman had left the scene before police arrived and was last seen walking towards a highway.

Emergency management officials have told residents to stay inside with their doors locked and avoid the area near the Cascade Mall. Drivers are being urged to keep nearby major roads clear.

The FBI, which is assisting in the investigation, says there is no evidence that further attacks are planned in Washington State.

Burlington is about 65 miles north of Seattle.