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Police begin New York siege probe Police begin New York siege probe
(about 6 hours later)
US police are piecing together details of the man suspected of shooting dead 13 people and taking several hostages at a New York state immigration centre.US police are piecing together details of the man suspected of shooting dead 13 people and taking several hostages at a New York state immigration centre.
The suspect, who also killed himself, was named in media reports as 42-year-old Vietnamese immigrant Jiverly Voong. The suspect, who also killed himself, was named as 41-year-old Vietnamese immigrant Jiverly Voong.
He reportedly lost his job recently and was frustrated by language problems.He reportedly lost his job recently and was frustrated by language problems.
Police said autopsies were under way on all of those who died, but they did not name a suspect or suggest a motive for the attack, in the town of Binghamton.Police said autopsies were under way on all of those who died, but they did not name a suspect or suggest a motive for the attack, in the town of Binghamton.
Earlier, Pakistani Taleban leader Baitullah Mehsud called media organisations including the BBC in Islamabad to claim responsibility for the attack.Earlier, Pakistani Taleban leader Baitullah Mehsud called media organisations including the BBC in Islamabad to claim responsibility for the attack.
But FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said that based on the evidence the militant's claim could be "firmly discounted". But FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said that based on the evidence the militant's claim could be "firmly discounted". name="goback"> class="bodl" href="#map"> See map of the area
name="goback"> class="bodl" href="#map"> See map of the area In Friday's attack, the gunman apparently parked his car against the back door of the American Civic Association (ACA) buildings in Binghamton, north-west of New York City.
The gunman apparently parked his car against the back door of the American Civic Association (ACA) buildings in Binghamton, north-west of New York City.
The Associated Press reported that he walked into the building and opened fire, apparently without saying a word.The Associated Press reported that he walked into the building and opened fire, apparently without saying a word.
About 15 or so employees came out crying with their hands behind their heads Eyewitness Witnesses: Binghamton shooting About 15 or so employees came out crying with their hands behind their heads Eyewitness Witnesses: Binghamton shooting
Detectives have searched the house of the main suspect, with reports claiming the gunman had identity papers on him in the name of Jiverly Voong, of nearby Johnson City. Detectives have searched the suspect's home and removed items including computer hard drives and a rifle bag.
The officers removed items including computer hard drives and a rifle bag from his home.
Two handguns used in the attack were registered under the name of Jiverly Wong, AP reported.Two handguns used in the attack were registered under the name of Jiverly Wong, AP reported.
Town Mayor Matthew Ryan told ABC news that Voong had lost a job recently "and was somewhat angry".Town Mayor Matthew Ryan told ABC news that Voong had lost a job recently "and was somewhat angry".
"He had language issues, didn't speak English that well, and was really concerned about his employment situation.""He had language issues, didn't speak English that well, and was really concerned about his employment situation."
The victims appear to be mainly immigrants, taking English-language classes at the centre and receiving advice on settling in the US. The victims appear mainly to have been immigrants, taking English-language classes at the centre and receiving advice on settling in the US.
The authorities have been taking calls from worried relatives from all over the world.The authorities have been taking calls from worried relatives from all over the world.
'Most tragic day''Most tragic day'
Zhanar Tokhtabayeva, a 30-year-old from Kazakhstan, was in an English lesson when her teacher screamed for everyone to go to the storage room.Zhanar Tokhtabayeva, a 30-year-old from Kazakhstan, was in an English lesson when her teacher screamed for everyone to go to the storage room.
WEEK OF SHOOTINGS Sat 4 April: Gunman kills three policemen in Pittsburgh before being wounded and capturedFri 3 April: Gunman kills 13 people at an immigration centre in Binghamton, New York state, then apparently shoots himselfSun 29 March: Gunman kills seven elderly residents and a nurse at a nursing home in Carthage, North Carolina, then is shot and wounded himselfSun 29 March: Man kills five relatives and himself in Santa Clara, California
"I heard the shots, every shot. I heard no screams, just silence, shooting," she told AP."I heard the shots, every shot. I heard no screams, just silence, shooting," she told AP.
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
"I heard shooting, very long time, and I was thinking, when will this stop? I was thinking that my life was finished.""I heard shooting, very long time, and I was thinking, when will this stop? I was thinking that my life was finished."
About 40 people escaped from the building - 26 of whom are believed to have hidden in the basement.About 40 people escaped from the building - 26 of whom are believed to have hidden in the basement.
Four were critically injured in the shooting, north-west of New York City, police said.Four were critically injured in the shooting, north-west of New York City, police said.
Police Chief Joseph Zikuski told NBC TV channel how one of the centre's receptionists played dead after being shot in the stomach, and managed to call the emergency services.Police Chief Joseph Zikuski told NBC TV channel how one of the centre's receptionists played dead after being shot in the stomach, and managed to call the emergency services.
He said the injured woman stayed on the telephone for 90 minutes, feeding the authorities information.He said the injured woman stayed on the telephone for 90 minutes, feeding the authorities information.
"She's a hero in her own right," he said."She's a hero in her own right," he said.
Correspondents said Binghamton residents were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.Correspondents said Binghamton residents were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Local newspaper the Press Sun & Bulletin reported that there had been just one murder in the town since the start of 2008.Local newspaper the Press Sun & Bulletin reported that there had been just one murder in the town since the start of 2008.
Mayor Ryan called it "the most tragic day" in Binghamton's history.Mayor Ryan called it "the most tragic day" in Binghamton's history.
President Barack Obama, in Europe for a Nato summit, said he was "heartbroken" for the families of victims of the "senseless tragedy".President Barack Obama, in Europe for a Nato summit, said he was "heartbroken" for the families of victims of the "senseless tragedy".
Mr Obama said his administration was "actively monitoring the situation" and that Vice-President Joe Biden was in touch with officials in Binghamton.Mr Obama said his administration was "actively monitoring the situation" and that Vice-President Joe Biden was in touch with officials in Binghamton.
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