Blasts Shooting
The attack at the Westgate Mall in Westlands, 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) northwest of Nairobi’s city center, started at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday. Middle class Kenyans and expatriates frequent the shopping center which has more than 80 shops including bank outlets, a movie theater, casino, restaurants and a children’s play area.
Two explosions were heard within about five minutes of each other when the attack started, forcing panicked patrons to seek shelter including the parking area on the roof of the four-story building. The attackers, who lobbed grenades, told Muslims they could go free and that non-Muslims were the target, theAssociated Press reported, citing an eyewitness.
The gunmen entered through the main door of the mall and went on a shooting rampage, moving from the ground level to upper floors, according to an e-mailed statement from ArtCaffe, a restaurant in the mall.
“On hearing the gunfire, patrons and staff in the mall ran for cover at every level,” the company said.