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'Multiple casualties' in US siege 'Multiple casualties' in US siege
(30 minutes later)
Up to 40 people have been taken hostage and several others shot in the US state of New York, say reports. About 40 people have been taken hostage and several others shot in the US state of New York, say reports.
Unconfirmed local media reports said up to 13 people may have been killed during the incident. Unconfirmed local media reports said a number of people have been killed during the incident.
The hostages were in the buildings of the American Civic Association (ACA) in the Binghamton, north of New York City, when the gunman entered. The hostages were in the buildings of the American Civic Association (ACA) in Binghamton, north of New York City, when the gunman entered.
Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the man had a high-powered rifle and was still believed to be in the building. Police are reported to have entered the building and taken away two people. Some hostages have now been released.
"About 15 or so employees of the Civic Association came out crying with their hands behind their heads and they were escorted by the police," one witness told the Binghamton's WNBF Radio.
See map of the area Television footage showed four people being carried from the scene on stretchers. Their condition was not known. See map of the area 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 campus In pictures: NY state hostage 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: NY state hostage
It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown and some streets had been sealed off.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.Eyewitness reported seeing a man of Asian appearance in his 20s entering the building.
He was described by local media as being 1.6m to 1.8m (5ft 8in to 6ft) and wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.He was described by local media as being 1.6m to 1.8m (5ft 8in to 6ft) and wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.
Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the gunman was carrying a high-powered rifle.
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," said Linda Miller at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital."We're on full alert anticipating we're going to get additional casualties," said Linda Miller at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
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.
Bob Joseph of Binghamton's 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.
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