three shot dead at Circle K in Yakima, Washington; suspect on the loose

At least three people were killed in what police called an “accidental shooting” that took place early Tuesday morning at a store in Yakima, Washington.

The attacker, who police believe is 21-year-old Jarid Haddock, is still at large.

“It seems to be a random situation. There was no apparent conflict between the parties,” Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray said in a video posted on the department’s Facebook page. “The man just walked in and started shooting.”

Murray said police received a call around 3:30 a.m. that a man had shot at people at a Circle K store.

Upon arrival, law enforcement officers found three people shot dead inside.

Police believe there may be a fourth victim because after the shooter opened fire on Circle K, he crossed the street, went to the Ampm Convenience Store and shot a fourth person in the car.

Surveillance footage shows the man moving to the passenger side of the car as the gunman stole the car and fled. It is not clear if the fourth victim was shot, and if so, if it was fatal.

According to Murray, the suspect left in a gray or silver Chrysler sedan, possibly a Chrysler 200. Police do not have a license plate for the vehicle.

The police later updated the Facebook post to identify the “alleged murder suspect” as Haddock.

“If you see, immediately call 911, do not come near. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. YPD and local agencies are tracking leads,” the department said in a statement.

Several roads in the area have been closed since the shooting, and all East Valley school districts are on “guard and train” mode, officials said.

This year has so far seen more mass shootings than days, with 39, according to CNN, and the Yakima incident is the latest mass violence this week alone.

Eleven people were killed and at least 10 injured over the weekend when a gunman opened fire on an Asian American community celebrating Lunar New Year in Monterey Park near Los Angeles.

Violence in California continued until Monday, when at least seven people were killed in two shootings in Half Moon Bay. Later that day in Auckland, one person was fatally shot and seven others were injured.

On Monday, two students were killed at a school for at-risk youth in Iowa, and a third man, the founder of the school, was injured.