TINLEY PARK, Ill. (AP) -- Authorities launched a manhunt Saturday after discovering "multiple" victims in a clothing store in a suburban Chicago strip mall. They did not immediately confirm a report that four people had been killed.

Police Sgt. T.J. Grady said officers responding to a 911 call about a shooting at about 10:45 a.m. found "multiple victims" inside the Lane Bryant store. Grady refused to release other details or take questions, but said "the offender" had apparently left the area in the suburbs southwest of downtown Chicago.

Will County Coroner Patrick O'Neil told the Chicago Tribune that police have reported four deaths.

Authorities at the scene declined to give details on the incident, but cordoned off the strip mall area, waving would-be shoppers by as they approached entrances Saturday afternoon.

Tracy Caccavella was shopping at a Pet Smart store late Saturday morning across the parking lot from the Lane Bryant when she saw police enter the pet supply store.

"Six police entered the store with their hands on their gun holsters," Caccavella said.

Police conducted a thorough search and left, she said.