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Six die in attack on US council Six die in attack on US council
(20 minutes later)
A gunman has opened fire on a council meeting in the US city of St Louis, Missouri, killing five people before being shot dead, authorities have said.A gunman has opened fire on a council meeting in the US city of St Louis, Missouri, killing five people before being shot dead, authorities have said.
The gunman reportedly entered shouting "shoot the mayor" and killed two policemen and three others before police shot him.The gunman reportedly entered shouting "shoot the mayor" and killed two policemen and three others before police shot him.
The building in the suburb of Kirkwood has been cordoned off.The building in the suburb of Kirkwood has been cordoned off.
Around 30 people were at the council meeting. The mayor was reportedly shot and wounded.Around 30 people were at the council meeting. The mayor was reportedly shot and wounded.
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt condemned the "senseless and horrific crime at an open government meeting".
"I join Missourians tonight in praying for the victims, their families and friends and everyone in the community of Kirkwood," he said.
Fought backFought back
Police said one officer was killed outside City Hall and another inside.Police said one officer was killed outside City Hall and another inside.
I laid on my stomach waiting to get shot Janet McNichols,St Louis Post-DispatchI laid on my stomach waiting to get shot Janet McNichols,St Louis Post-Dispatch
"He shot three other people who were attending the council meeting. They also are deceased," St Louis county police spokeswoman Tracy Panus said."He shot three other people who were attending the council meeting. They also are deceased," St Louis county police spokeswoman Tracy Panus said.
The St Louis Post-Dispatch said the gunman was "not a stranger to the council, where he was often a contentious presence".The St Louis Post-Dispatch said the gunman was "not a stranger to the council, where he was often a contentious presence".
The paper's correspondent, Janet McNichols, who was at the meeting, said: "He came from the back of the room. He kept [saying] something about, 'Shoot the mayor' and he just walked around shooting anybody he could."The paper's correspondent, Janet McNichols, who was at the meeting, said: "He came from the back of the room. He kept [saying] something about, 'Shoot the mayor' and he just walked around shooting anybody he could."
She said she saw a police officer and an official shot in the head.She said she saw a police officer and an official shot in the head.
"After that, I was on my stomach under the chairs," Ms McNichols said. "I laid on my stomach waiting to get shot.""After that, I was on my stomach under the chairs," Ms McNichols said. "I laid on my stomach waiting to get shot."
Ms McNichols said the gunman also fired at the city's attorney, who fought back by throwing chairs.Ms McNichols said the gunman also fired at the city's attorney, who fought back by throwing chairs.
The gunman then went behind the council's desk and continued to fire, she reported.The gunman then went behind the council's desk and continued to fire, she reported.
Kirkwood is about 20 miles (32km) south-west of central St Louis.Kirkwood is about 20 miles (32km) south-west of central St Louis.