April 03, 2009

Report: Hostage Situation At American Civic Association in Binghampton, NY

CBS13

A report says at least four people have been shot at the American Civic Association in Binghamton and several people have been taken hostage, CBS station WCBS-TV has learned.
Background on American Civic Association:
Assists immigrants and refugees with immigration and personal counseling, resettlement, citizenship, family reunification, interpreters, and translators. Fosters cross cultural understanding for the entire community.
Hopefully SWAT will get a handle on this situation and capture or take down this gunman.

Link to live blog at "Press connects in Binghampton

Update by Howie:

Now thirteen people are reported dead. Many hostages taken. Some have been rescued or released. The killer is described only as an Asian male.

Via ABCNEWS: According to multiple state law enforcement officials, the gunman entered the one-story American Civic Association in downtown Binghamton about 10 a.m. today and began a shooting spree.

A senior law enforcement official told ABC News that 13 people were shot dead and 26 wounded.

Others were believed to be held inside the building as hostages.

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

We'll continue to follow and update as needed.

Updated again:

Reports now coming out that the attacker has taken his own life. ABC has also confirmed the shooter has killed himself. The only new clue to his identity was that a person "fluent in Vietnamese" was requested to help talk to the killer.

Update III:

News conference will be held at 4:30P ET.

Update IV: Shooter Identified as 41yr old Jiverly Voong also know as Linh Phat Voong

By Stable Hand at 01:35 PM | |