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'Dozen dead' in NY state shooting NY state gunman kills at least 12
(about 1 hour 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 12 people after taking dozens hostage in the US state of New York, the governor says.
One suspected gunman was later found dead inside the immigration centre in Binghamton, federal officials told the Associated Press news agency.One suspected gunman was later found dead inside the immigration centre in Binghamton, federal officials told the Associated Press news agency.
The police are reported to have taken two other people from the building in plastic handcuffs. At least 26 people were injured during the shooting, north-west of New York City, reports said.
Many people are reported to have been injured during the shooting, north-west of New York City. The governor of New York State, David Paterson, said it was "a tragic day for New York".
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.
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New York State Governor David Paterson confirmed that 12 or 13 people had been killed. Local Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the gunman was carrying a high-powered rifle.
He said the situation was still developing but that it was a "tragic day for New York". Two other people seen being led away by police in plastic handcuffs during the incident are not believed to be suspects.
"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. About 15 or so employees came out crying with their hands behind their heads Eyewitness
An unnamed law enforcement official told the Associated Press that the FBI had sent negotiators to the scene. A spokeswoman for Our Lady of Lourdes hospital told the BBC several people had been admitted with serious injuries.
At least four people were earlier 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.Susan Linerode said the hospital was expecting to receive more casualties and staff had been told to stay at work.
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.
"They were escorted by the police and they took them to ambulances and took them away," he said.
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Eyewitness reported seeing a man of Asian appearance in his 20s entering the ACA building in mid-morning local time. 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.
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 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.
The town's Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the gunman was carrying a high-powered rifle.
There were reports that several dozen people had been hiding in the building but witnesses said they later saw groups of people leaving.
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby had been evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene.The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby had been evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene.
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.
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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