Security on hand as Omaha mall reopens

OMAHA, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Security personnel were on hand this weekend as the Westroads Mall reopened in Omaha, four days after a multiple-death shooting spree took place inside.

The Kansas City Star reported Sunday the reopening of the mall three days after eight people were killed by gunman Robert Hawkins represented an attempt by the community to move on in the wake of the tragedy.

When the mall reopened Saturday, visitors were greeted by a large makeshift memorial outside of the Von Maur store where Hawkins began his killing spree.

Hawkins entered the mall Wednesday and began shooting at customers and mall employees, killing eight before finally taking his own life.

While the mall is now officially reopened, Von Maur remains closed and mall visitors said the shopping site has lost the magic of the holidays.

"I come out here almost every morning, and (Saturday) it was kind of just an eerie feeling of, I don't know, quiet," local resident Marge Andrews told the Star.

"It doesn't feel like a Christmas feeling," her husband John said in agreement.