Update: 12-13 People Killed & Gunman Kills Himself At American Civic Association In Binghamton, NY (Photos)

Posted on April 3, 2009

Reports say at least four people were shot and as many as 41 people taken hostage Friday morning at an immigration services center (American Civic Association) in Binghamton, New York. Read more on the situation below.

Update!:

Twelve to 13 people were killed on Friday when a gunman walked into the American Civic Association in Binghamton, NY and opened fire, Gov. David Paterson said. A federal law enforcement official said the gunman was found dead in the building.

Federal law enforcement officials say the gunman’s body was found inside and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He’s been identified as 42-year-old Jiverly Voong.

“I speak for all of New York when I offer my prayers for the victims and families of this tragedy,” Paterson said hours after the gunman shot several people and took dozens hostage. The gunman first blocked the back door with his car, authorities said.

Two people were seen in handcuffs as they left the building, but NBC’s Pete Williams said they were not suspects and that police were simply taking extra precautions as people left the building.

Police had identified the suspect as a 42-year-old man who lived in upstate New York, Williams reported.

Authorities scheduled a news conference for 4:30 p.m. ET.

At least 41 people were in the American Civic Association building at the time of the shooting and that citizenship classes had been scheduled Friday at the center, The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin reported.

The gunman had a high-powered rifle, Mayor Matthew Ryan told the newspaper. Law enforcement sources later told NBC News that several weapons were recovered from the shooting scene.

The suspect was described as a man in his 20s between 5 feet, 8 inches, and 6 feet tall, wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.

Breaking News:

Mayor Matthew Ryan told the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin that there was a hostage situation involving a gunman with a high-powered rifle.

There are reportedly 41 hostages in the building of the American Civic Association.

Emergency dispatchers were in contact with some people inside by phone, WBNG-TV reported. The gunman might still be in the building, the newspaper reported.

Four people were taken from the building on stretchers and taken to local hospitals, and 10 more ambulances were called, the newspaper reported.

The condition of the victims has not been released.

A spokeswoman at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton confirmed that a student from Binghamton University was being treated at the emergency room. Spokeswoman Linda Miller said she didn’t know the nature of the injuries.

“We’re on full alert anticipating we’re going to get additional
casualties,” Miller said.

NBC’s Pete Williams cited city and state officials as saying that as many 13 people might have been killed. But Williams cautioned that the information was very preliminary and may change as the hours go by because police were still searching the building.

From MSNBC News:

A man went into the group’s building and started shooting, according to police scanner traffic reported by WBNG-TV.

The gunman had a high-powered rifle, Mayor Matthew Ryan told the newspaper.

Some later left building
When the shooting started, people escaped to the basement in search of safety. More than a dozen people were hiding in a closet for more than an hour.

Some people were later escorted out of the building, WBGH reporter Sophia Ojeda said.

The American Civic Association’s Web site says it helps immigrants and refugees with counseling, resettlement, citizenship, family reunification, interpreters, and translators.

The suspect was described as a man in his 20s between 5 feet, 8 inches, and 6 feet tall, wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.

School locked down
Police have locked down a nearby high school and advised local business owners to stay inside.

Rich Griffith, who works across the street from the hostage scene, said he saw three people carried out of the building on stretchers alive and moving.

Linda Miller, a spokeswoman at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, confirmed that a student from Binghamton University was being treated at the emergency room. Miller said she didn’t know the nature of the injuries.

“We’re on full alert anticipating we’re going to get additional casualties,” Miller said.

Binghamton, with a population around 45,000, is about 150 miles northwest of New York City.

The American Civic Association describes itself as helping immigrants and refugees with counseling, resettlement, citizenship, family reunification and translators.

It also intervenes with emergencies, including fighting, hunger and homelessness, according to information from the association’s Web site.

We will keep you updated as the news on the Binghamton, NY shootings are released!

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