A quiet Halloween night at a Washington State mall turned chaotic when gunfire erupted, endangering families out for holiday festivities.
In a heroic act, 16-year-old Bronwyn Cruden acted quickly, saving a family from the gunman’s rampage.
A Scene of Chaos at Twisted Escape Rooms
Cruden was at her job in Twisted Escape Rooms when the sound of gunshots shattered the Halloween atmosphere.
As screams echoed through the mall, she sprang into action, securing the door to protect those inside.
But it wasn’t long before she noticed a frightened family frantically seeking shelter outside.
Shelter Amid Gunfire
Recognizing their desperation, Cruden quickly unlocked the door and motioned for the family to come inside.
Huddling together, the family—including a father holding a small child and other children still clutching trick-or-treat candy bags—found safety inside the store, while Cruden locked the door behind them.
Recalling the harrowing moments, Cruden reflected on the trauma the children may carry: “How many kids was that their first Halloween? And they’ll probably be traumatized for the rest of their life.”
Gunman’s Capture and Disturbing Footage
The shooter, later identified as 32-year-old Travis L. Ward, had opened fire in the mall’s food court, killing one man and injuring two others.
Ward fled the scene but was later apprehended by Vancouver Police with the assistance of a SWAT team.
The arrest followed tips from the community and social media.
Security footage captured Cruden’s bravery, showing her racing to lock the door, only to quickly unlock it when she saw the family pleading for help outside.
The video shows the moment she pulled them in, then led them to the back to wait for the chaos to subside.
Community Shaken by Mall Attack
The mall was filled with families celebrating Halloween when Ward, reportedly wearing a clown mask and all-black attire, began his assault near the JC Penney store.
Witnesses described the terror that unfolded as gunfire rang out unexpectedly.
One mall-goer, Dusty Belair, was dining with her family in the food court when shots were fired.
She recalled ducking under a table with her family, unsure if they’d make it out unscathed.
Though her family escaped unharmed, Belair expressed deep sympathy for those affected: “I really feel for those families that were affected.”
Police Investigation and Charges
Following his arrest, Ward was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault.
Authorities believe his actions were targeted, though the intended victim has not been publicly identified.
Both surviving victims are reportedly in stable condition.
Ward remains in custody without bail and is expected to appear in court.
As the investigation continues, the community has praised Cruden for her bravery, though she remains humble about her actions, questioning if she truly deserves the label “hero.”
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