ARLINGTON, Va. - Police are on the lookout for a gunman who opened fire inside an Apple store Clarendon Blvd. Friday shortly after 10 a.m.

Dozens of stunned shoppers watched in horror as the female employee wounded in the shooting was wheeled to an ambulance.

"All of a sudden we all heard gunshots," said a witness, who did not want to be identified.

"We heard a woman scream back toward the bathroom area and all of us stopped. One of the staff members opened the door and one woman yelled, "Call 911 someone's been shot,'" said another unidentified witness.

One customer recalled running out of the store and calling police before attempting to warn other people of a possible gunman on the loose.

The Market Common at Clarendon was crowded with people enjoying the weather and a holiday day off when employees and customers rushed out of the Apple Store just before police moved in.

"It just doesn't seem like the kind of neighborhood that is target for violent crime...so it's just a little shocking," said shopper Virginia Robinson.

Investigators believe the gunman came through a rear loading-area door, fleeing the same way he came in. Police used helicopter and K-9 units to conduct a sweep of the area and are calling the incident as an attempted robbery. 

"I'm absolutely stunned. The holiday's here, the Fourth of July, and all this going on it's very strange," said Rick Lawrence, a shopper.

Police say the 26-year-old woman was shot in the shoulder. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where she is reportedly in serious but stable condition.

Authorities describe the suspect as an African-American male in 20s or 30s. They say he is 5'7" to 6" tall with a medium build. They say he was wearing light colored pants, short-sleeved shirt and a dark baseball hat with white lettering.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703-228-4242 or Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous. 
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