Woman Stabs Two At Montgomery Mall

Robin Wexler of Bethesda, who was with his wife, Elaine, said he was shopping for sneakers on the second floor, near the escalator, when he heard "people screaming. It sounded like an argument."

"Initially, everyone just ran in all different directions screaming," he said. He said employees directed him, his wife and a few other customers into a stockroom. Shortly afterward, they were told to leave the store, he said.

"It's very weird to go out, buy a pair of shoes and all of sudden, all hell breaks loose," Wexler said.

The suspect, who authorities said is 48, was being held last night at the Montgomery County Detention Center, where she was scheduled to be arraigned today. Her name was not immediately released.

One of the victims was being treated last night at Washington Hospital Center; the other was at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. A county fire department spokesman said two people in the store were treated for breathing problems.

Deniz Anders, a Nordstrom spokeswoman at the company's headquarters in Seattle, said the retailer was preparing to provide psychological help to employees.

"We're extremely concerned about the condition [of] the two women involved in the incident and all of our employees and customers," Anders said. "We are extremely grateful to the FBI agent for taking quick action."

The store did not reopen after the violence, although other businesses in the mall remained open last night.

Anders said it was unclear whether the store would reopen today.

Staff writer Clarence Williams contributed to this report.