OMAHA, Neb. -- A man with a rifle opened fire at a busy shopping mall Wednesday, killing eight people before taking his own life, police said.

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Police Sgt. Teresa Negron said the suspected gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The mall has been evacuated, locked down and will likely remain closed until Thursday.

Earlier reports saying that 10 people were dead, including the gunman, were not correct.

The shooting happened at about 2 p.m. First responders could be seen escorting people from the building. Its surrounding parking lots are filled with emergency vehicles, evacuated shoppers and onlookers.

Shoppers described a scene of chaos and panic when the shooting started, with people sprinting through stores and corridors, and some hiding in closets.

Jennifer Kramer, a witness, told KETV that she heard 35 to 40 shots as she was taking cover inside the mall. Kramer's mother, who was with her, said she "just kept hoping God would spare us."

Keith Fidler, a Von Maur store employee, told The Associated Press he heard a burst of five to six shots followed by 15 to 20 more shots. Fidler said he huddled in the corner of the men's clothing department with about a dozen other employees until police yelled to get out of the store.

A woman who answered the phone at an Old Navy store said 20 to 30 customers had huddled with employees in a back storeroom.

"All we know was people were running and screaming down the hallway by Von Maur saying there was a shooting, and then they locked us down," said the woman, who said her name was Heidi.

One witness told KETV that she was locked inside the mall. She said she was doing Christmas shopping at a store called Younkers, when an announcement was made that no one would be allowed to leave.

Another told KETV that she heard three pops. She said a Bath and Body Works store manager approached her and told her to get out of the mall hallway as there was a situation, and a shooter had not been located.

The Sarpy County Sheriff's Office said it was investigating a note that "could be interpreted as suicidal" connected to the suspected gunman, Omaha TV station KETV reported. The mall is in neighboring Douglas County, but an unidentified woman delivered the note to the Sarpy sheriffs, KETV reported.

The Westwood Mall has more than 135 stores and restaurants, according to the Web site for General Growth Properties, the manager of the mall. It gets 14.5 million visitors every year, according to the Web site.

President George W. Bush was in Omaha on Wednesday for a fundraiser, but left about an hour before the shooting.