Gunman surrenders after mall hostage situation

EVERGREEN PARK It happened around 6 p.m. Monday at The Plaza in Evergreen Park.

The suspect surrendered without incident.

The man entered a women's clothing store waving a gun and demanding to see his wife -- an employee. One mall employee said it instantly reminded her of the Tinley Park killings at the Lane Bryant store.

It was a terrifying 25 minutes for employees and shoppers. Mall security said the gunman in the Rainbow clothing store was irate.

"He was waving his gun around in the air and everyone had to get in lockdown," said Alexis Carrizales, shopper.

"Wondering what was going on. Next thing I know, one of the workers took down metal gates and told everybody it was a lockdown," said shopper Kathy Carrizales.

Within moments, security made an announcement over the public address system telling every store to lock its gates and every shopper and employee to go to the back of the store they were in. Police evacuated shoppers in the common areas to the parking lot.

Meanwhile, inside the Rainbow store, police say the gunman kept asking for his wife, but she managed to escape unharmed. Two other employees were held against their will, sources say, as police arrived and started talking to the gunman.

Police brought in their canine unit and negotiating teams and as he smoked a cigarette inside the store, they managed to convince him to put down the gun and surrender.

His SUV was searched and towed away.

Police said there were never any shots fired. No one was injured.

The suspect is 22-year-old Michael Duncan. He is charged in connection with the standoff.