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Gunman takes hostages in NY state Gunman takes hostages in NY state
(10 minutes later)
Up to 40 people have been taken hostage and several others shot in the US state of New York, say reports.Up to 40 people have been taken hostage and several others shot in the US state of New York, say reports.
Local media reported that the people were in the buildings of the American Civic Association (ACA) in the Binghamton, north of New York City.Local media reported that the people were in the buildings of the American Civic Association (ACA) in the Binghamton, north of New York City.
Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the man had a high-powered rifle and was still believed to be in the building.Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the man had a high-powered rifle and was still believed to be in the building.
One report said four people had been carried from the scene on stretchers. Their condition was not known. Unconfirmed local media reports said up to 13 people may have been killed in the incident.
Television footage showed four people being carried from the scene on stretchers. Their condition was not known.
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby were being evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene.The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby were being evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene.
RECENT US SHOOTINGS March 2009: A gunman kills a total of 11 people in a series of shootings southern AlabamaDec 2008: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus kills nine people and himself on Christmas Eve in LASept 2008: Six people die in a series of shootings in the north-west of Washington stateJune 2008: A worker at a plastics plant in Kentucky kills five people before killing himselfApr 2007: 32 people and the gunman die at the Virginia Tech campusRECENT US SHOOTINGS March 2009: A gunman kills a total of 11 people in a series of shootings southern AlabamaDec 2008: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus kills nine people and himself on Christmas Eve in LASept 2008: Six people die in a series of shootings in the north-west of Washington stateJune 2008: A worker at a plastics plant in Kentucky kills five people before killing himselfApr 2007: 32 people and the gunman die at the Virginia Tech campus
It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown. It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown and some streets had been sealed off.
Eyewitness reported seeing a man of Asian appearance in his 20s entering the building.
A spokeswoman at a local hospital said at least one person was being treated for unspecified injuries.A spokeswoman at a local hospital said at least one person was being treated for unspecified injuries.
"We're on full alert anticipating we're going to get additional casualties," Linda Miller said."We're on full alert anticipating we're going to get additional casualties," Linda Miller said.
Reports said people had been hiding in the basement of the building and inside a storage room.Reports said people had been hiding in the basement of the building and inside a storage room.
The ACA says on its website that it assists immigrants and refugees with personal and immigration counselling.The ACA says on its website that it assists immigrants and refugees with personal and immigration counselling.
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