Gunman Kills 12, Himself, in Binghampton, New York Shooting During Citizenship Test

It is believed that a lone gunman entered the American Civic Association building, a facility that works as a support center for immigrants and refugees, in Binghampton, New York, around 10:30 a.m. Friday morning and began shooting. Police on the scene told a WBNG-TV that there were as many as 12 people killed thus far in the ongoing situation. Initial reports were that the gunman (or possibly gunmen) seemed to have taken between 20-40 hostages within the building.

CNN reported that apartments and businesses around the American Civic Association were evacuated soon after the shooting began. The FBI, which maintains an office in Binghampton, had brought in negotiators and an evidence response team. A SWAT team and scores of police and police support personnel surrounded the building.

Not much is actually known about the gunman, except that he may be Asian.

CNN reported at 3:00 p.m. that WBNG, which is a CNN affiliate, reported that a gunman had been killed.

Two Asian males had been led from the building in plastic restraints earlier in the day, but at 3:05, CNN reported that the two males were not involved in the shooting. They had been restrained as a precaution after authorities found that the gunman was Asian.

Rick Sanchez said that CNN sources had reported that all living persons (and hostages) had been removed from the building. The only people inside the building, besides law enforcement members, were victims and the dead gunman.

It seems that the gunman originally entered the building through a rear entrance and began shooting at people who were taking their naturalization tests to become American citizens.

At 3:17, Rick Sanchez spoke with an associate that sources were confirming that 12 people were killed and five were wounded during the shooting. A 13^th body believed to be the gunman was also found inside the building with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The Binghampton shooting at American Civic Association comes just a few days after a gunman opened fire at a nursing home in Carthage, North Carolina. That shooting incident resulted in eight deaths. Robert Stewart, 45, was believed to be looking for his wife who worked at the Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation Center. Stewart was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a police officer, taken into custody, and faces eight charges of murder.

Earlier in March, Michael McLendon, 28, went on a shooting rampage in southern Alabama that began at his mother's home and ended at his former place of employment. When the two county rampage ended, 10 people would be dead before McLendon took his own life.

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Sources:

CNN Television

CNN.com

WBNG-TV