A security officer helps a wounded woman outside the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, Sept. 21, after gunmen threw grenades and opened fire during an attack that left multiple dead bodies and dozens wounded. A witness to the attacks on the upscale shopping mall says that gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Associated Press/Jason Straziuso
Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya — A witness to the attacks at Nairobi’s upscale mall says that gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Elijah Kamau said Saturday that attackers with AK-47s and grenades made the statement about Muslims as they began their attack at the Westgate shopping mall in Kenya’s capital around midday.
Gunmen threw grenades and opened fire during the attack.
Associated Press reporters at the scene said they saw about 10 dead bodies and dozens wounded more than two hours after the attack began. Officials did not yet give an official death toll.
Somali’s rebel group al-Shabab vowed in late 2011 to carry out a large-scale attack in Nairobi in retaliation for Kenya’s sending of troops into Somalia to fight the Islamic insurgents.
Crowds gather outside the Westgate Mall, an upscale shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday. Sept. 21, where shooting erupted when armed men staged an attack. A witness to the attacks says that gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted. Initial police reports had described the incident as a botched robbery. Witnesses say a half dozen grenades also went off along with volleys of gunfire in and around the mall.
Associated Press/Jason Straziuso
People run from the Westgate Mall, an upscale shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday. Sept. 21, where shooting erupted when armed men staged an attack. A witness to the attacks at NairobiÂ’s upscale mall says that gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted. Initial police reports had described the incident as a botched robbery. Witnesses say a half dozen grenades also went off along with volleys of gunfire in and around the mall.
Associated Press/Jason Straziuso
A woman with her two children rescued from the mall outside the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday. Sept. 21, where shooting erupted when armed men attempted to rob a shop, according to police. Witnesses say a half dozen grenades also went off along with volleys of gunfire in and around the mall.
Associated Press/ Sayyid Azim