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US siege gunman kills at least 12 US siege gunman kills at least 13
(about 2 hours later)
A gunman has killed at least 12 people after taking dozens hostage in the US state of New York, the governor says. A gunman has killed at least 13 people after taking dozens hostage in the US state of New York.
The suspected gunman was later found dead inside the immigration centre in Binghamton, federal officials told the Associated Press news agency. The suspected gunman was later found dead inside the immigration centre in Binghamton, police officials said.
At least 26 people were injured during the shooting, north-west of New York City, reports said. Nearly 40 people escaped from the building but four were critically injured in the shooting, north-west of New York City, police said.
The governor of New York state, David Paterson, said it was "a tragic day for New York". President Barack Obama, in Europe for a Nato summit, said he was "shocked and saddened" by the "senseless violence".
Mr Paterson confirmed that 12 or 13 people had been killed.
"This is a horrible situation. There's actually no reason or excuse for this kind of shooting and brutal attack of innocent people right here in New York state," he said.
See map of the area See map of the area
Local Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the gunman was carrying a high-powered rifle. Mr Obama said his administration was "actively monitoring the situation" and that Vice-President Joe Biden was in touch with officials in Binghamton.
Two other people seen being led away by police in plastic handcuffs during the incident are not believed to be suspects.
The gunman used his car to barricade the building's back door before bursting in the front door, firing his weapon, the unnamed official told AP.
About 15 or so employees came out crying with their hands behind their heads EyewitnessAbout 15 or so employees came out crying with their hands behind their heads Eyewitness
A spokeswoman for Our Lady of Lourdes hospital told the BBC several people had been admitted with serious injuries. The town's police chief, Joseph Zikuski, told a news conference that 14 people had been found dead in the American Civic Association (ACA) buildings and he had "very good reason to believe that the shooter was among the dead".
Susan Linerode said the hospital was expecting to receive more casualties and staff had been told to stay at work. Mr Zikuski said one of the bodies found in the building was wearing a satchel containing ammunition. Two handguns had been recovered from the scene, he added.
Democratic Congressman Maurice Hinchey told AP the gunman had entered a room where people were sitting exams for US citizenship.
"It was in the middle of a test. He just went in and opened fire," said Mr Hinchey, who represents New York's 22nd District, which includes Binghamton.
Wounded
Witnesses reported seeing a man entering the ACA building during the morning. He was described as being of Asian appearance, in his 20s, and wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.
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 campus In pictures: Hostage drama
The gunman, believed to have been of Vietnamese origin, used his car to barricade the building's back door before bursting in the front door, firing his weapon, said officials.
He shot two receptionists, one of whom managed to call the police, before walking down a corridor towards classrooms.
Police were on the scene in minutes - people in nearby apartments, a school and a care home were told to stay in their buildings and some streets were sealed off.
Mr Zikuski said 26 people took refuge in the building's basement after hearing gunshots.
Eyewitnesses described seeing some people fleeing the building.Eyewitnesses described seeing some people fleeing the building.
"About 15 or so employees of the Civic Association came out crying with their hands behind their heads," one witness told Binghamton's WNBF Radio."About 15 or so employees of the Civic Association came out crying with their hands behind their heads," one witness told Binghamton's WNBF Radio.
"They were escorted by the police and they took them to ambulances and took them away," he said."They were escorted by the police and they took them to ambulances and took them away," he said.
Rifle Two other people seen being led away by police in plastic handcuffs during the incident but officials later said they were not suspects.
Witnesses reported seeing a man entering the building during the morning. He was described as being of Asian appearance, in his 20s, and wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses. 'Profound outrage'
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 campus class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7982458.stm"> In pictures: Hostage drama A spokeswoman for Our Lady of Lourdes hospital told the BBC several people had been admitted with serious injuries.
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby had been evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene. Police said 37 people were taken safely from the building
It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown and some streets had been sealed off. Susan Linerode said the hospital was expecting to receive more casualties and staff had been told to stay at work.
The governor of New York state, David Paterson, said it had been "a tragic day for New York".
"This is a horrible situation. There's actually no reason or excuse for this kind of shooting and brutal attack on innocent people right here in New York state," he said.
Mr Paterson told a news conference there was "a profound sense of outrage at this senseless act of violence in which many innocent people were killed, injured and probably traumatised for some time to come".
He said many of the victims were not from the US and police were in the process of contacting their families living abroad.
Bob Joseph of WNBF Radio told the BBC the town had never experienced an incident on such a scale before.Bob Joseph of WNBF Radio told the BBC the town had never experienced an incident on such a scale before.
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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