One killed in US mall shooting

A man has been shot dead in a crowded shopping mall in Boynton Beach, Florida, on Christmas Eve.

The gunman then fired at the police chasing him, authorities said, sending hundreds of people doing last-minute Christmas shopping running for cover.

Officers arrested the suspect after he barricaded himself inside a store at shopping complex, Boynton Beach Police Lt Jeffrey Katz said.

He added it was miraculous no-one else was hurt in the incident.

"The suspect ran through the mall and began to fire at officers as they were chasing him through the mall," Mr Katz said, adding that the officers did not return fire.

He said a couple of other men were being questioned by police.

Eyewitness Agate Alphonse said she passed a group of 10 to 15 people punching and grabbing one another moments before shots rang out.

"Some people got down. Some people ran," she told the Associated Press news agency.

Boynton Beach Maj Frank Briganti told CNN that investigators believe the person killed was targeted by the suspect.

No other injuries were reported.