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'Multiple casualties' in US siege 'Multiple casualties' in US siege
(30 minutes later)
About 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 a number of people 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 Binghamton, north of New York City, when the gunman entered. Several people were in the buildings of the American Civic Association (ACA) in Binghamton, north of New York City, when the attacker or attackers entered.
Police are reported to have entered the building and taken away two people. Some hostages have now been released. Many have now left the building and the police are reported to have taken away two people in handcuffs.
"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. It is now clear whether they were attackers.
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 New York Governor David Paterson confirmed there had been fatalities but did not say how many. He said it was a "tragic day for New York".
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby were being evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene. Mr Paterson said the situation was still developing and details were being gathered.
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: NY state hostage "We are monitoring the situation and I have directed the State Police to assist the Binghamton Police Department in any way they can," he told reporters.
It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown and some streets had been sealed off. An unnamed law enforcement official told the Associated Press that the FBI had sent negotiators to the scene.
Eyewitness reported seeing a man of Asian appearance in his 20s entering the building. At least four people were seen being carried away from the building on stretchers. Their condition was not known.
A spokeswoman for Our Lady of Lourdes hospital told the BBC several people had been admitted with "serious" injuries.
Susan Linerode said the hospital was expecting to receive more casualties and staff had been told to stay at work.
Rifle
Eyewitness reported seeing a man of Asian appearance in his 20s entering the ACA building in mid-morning local time.
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
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. The town's 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. There were reports that several dozen people had been hiding in the building and witnesses said they later saw groups of people leaving.
"We're on full alert anticipating we're going to get additional casualties," said Linda Miller at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby had been evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene.
The ACA says on its website that it assists immigrants and refugees with personal and immigration counselling. It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown and some streets had been sealed off.
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.
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