Three people were killed and four injured in a Sunday morning shooting rampage at a spa near a mall in Brookfield, just miles from a Wisconsin gurdwara where six Sikh worshippers were shot dead in August.
The multiple shooting occurred about 11 a.m. at the Azana Salon & Spa near Brookfield Square Mall, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Waukesha County authorities confirmed late Sunday afternoon that the suspected shooter, Radcliffe F. Haughton, 45, of Brown Deer, was found dead inside the spa.
Police said it had still not cleared the entire building by late afternoon, and that their investigation of the building was hampered by what they believe to be an improvised explosive device. The Milwaukee bomb squad had been called to the scene.
More than a dozen emergency vehicles were standing by in the mall parking lot and police officers were patrolling the sidewalk on the east side of the mall with automatic weapons, the journal said.
The shooting scene is less than a mile from the Sheraton Hotel where seven people were killed and four wounded when
Terry Michael Ratzmann opened fire at a Living Church of God service on March 12, 2005, it said. Ratzmann, a 44-year-old computer technician, then committed suicide.
In Washington, White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement that President Barack Obama was informed of the tragic shooting in Wisconsin at 1:30 pm by his Advisor for Homeland Security, John Brennan.
An hour later, Obama received a follow-up briefing from FBI Director Bob Mueller, his Chief of Staff, Jack Lew, and Advisor for Homeland Security John Brennan.
The President was told there was an active shooter in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The President was informed that the shooting did not appear to be terrorism-related.
The FBI is on the scene and is supporting the Brookfield, Wisconsin police department while they respond to the on-going situation. The President instructed the FBI to ensure that the state and local officials had the full support of the Federal government.
"The President and First Lady's thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrible shooting and their families," the statement added.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's running mate, House member Paul Ryan, whose congressional district, the site of a Sikh gurdwara shooting in Oak Creek in August, borders Brookfield, also issued a statement.
"Janna and I were shocked and saddened by the news from Brookfield today. As our community continues to heal from August's tragic violence, our thoughts and prayers are with today's victims and their loved ones," he said.