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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach: gunman kills at least 11 at government building | Virginia Beach: gunman kills at least 11 at government building |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A gunman killed 11 people and injured at least six others in a Virginia municipal building, in the latest deadly mass shooting to roil the United States. | |
| Authorities said a disgruntled employee opened fire and shot “indiscriminately” Friday afternoon in a Virginia Beach municipal building that houses the city’s public works, public utilities and planning departments. Police “engaged with the suspect” after arriving at the scene, they said, and returned fire when the shooter shot at them. | |
| The suspect was a longtime employee of the public utilities department, according to authorities. He died at the scene. Authorities did not release the suspect’s name. | |
| Chief James Cervera of the Virginia Beach police appeared emotional at a news conference on Friday afternoon, referring to shooting as the “event”, before catching himself: “We use the word ‘event’ – that’s a cop term,” Cervera said. “This is a devastating incident which is going to change the lives of a number of families from our city.” | Chief James Cervera of the Virginia Beach police appeared emotional at a news conference on Friday afternoon, referring to shooting as the “event”, before catching himself: “We use the word ‘event’ – that’s a cop term,” Cervera said. “This is a devastating incident which is going to change the lives of a number of families from our city.” |
| Victims were found on multiple floors of the building. Six victims were transported to hospitals, including one officer who was saved by his bullet proof vest, Cervera said. | Victims were found on multiple floors of the building. Six victims were transported to hospitals, including one officer who was saved by his bullet proof vest, Cervera said. |
| Barbara Henley, a Virginia Beach councilwoman, arrived at the building around 4pm Friday and saw a crowd of people standing outside. | Barbara Henley, a Virginia Beach councilwoman, arrived at the building around 4pm Friday and saw a crowd of people standing outside. |
| “Somebody told me there had been a shooting and they were told to leave. Afterward, I heard a loud male voice say, ‘Get down!’ so I did,” Henley told the Associated Press. | “Somebody told me there had been a shooting and they were told to leave. Afterward, I heard a loud male voice say, ‘Get down!’ so I did,” Henley told the Associated Press. |
| “I’m just sick,” she added. “All these people that I work with all the time. They are such really fine people, and I just hope they’re all safe.” | “I’m just sick,” she added. “All these people that I work with all the time. They are such really fine people, and I just hope they’re all safe.” |
| The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the Virginia state police are assisting with the investigation. | |
| The shooting sent shockwaves through Virginia Beach, the state’s largest city and a popular vacation spot in south-eastern Virginia. The building where the attack took place is in a suburban complex miles away from the high-rise hotels along the beach and the downtown business area. | |
| “This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach,” Mayor Bobby Dyer said. “People involved are our friends, coworkers, neighbors and colleagues,” he added. | |
| “This day will not define Virginia Beach. We will determine going forward today how we respond to our city,” said Aaron Rouse, a city councilman. “We will come together and we will show the strength of our city. | |
| Virginia’s governor, Ralph Northam, arrived on the scene Friday evening. | Virginia’s governor, Ralph Northam, arrived on the scene Friday evening. |
| “This is just a horrific day,” Northam said. “A lot of people are on the scene, and our thoughts are with victims and families. We are working with law enforcement and first responders to make sure we are taking care of everyone right now.” | “This is just a horrific day,” Northam said. “A lot of people are on the scene, and our thoughts are with victims and families. We are working with law enforcement and first responders to make sure we are taking care of everyone right now.” |
| The Associated Press contributed to this report | |
| Virginia | Virginia |
| US crime | US crime |
| Gun crime | Gun crime |
| news | news |
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