At least 14 dead in Binghamton shooting

April 3, 2009 | Binghamton Breaking News

BINGHAMTON (AP) — At least 14 people were killed and as many as 41 people taken hostage Friday morning at an immigration services center in Binghamton, according to media reports.

Police identified the suspect as a 42-year-old man who lived in upstate New York, NBC reported. The Associated Press later identified him as Jiverly Voong of Johnson City, and he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Voong had recently been laid off from IBM in Johnson City, U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, a Democrat whose district includes Binghamton, told the Associated Press. The gunman opened fire on a citizenship class, he said.

Officials and media reports say up to 26 people were injured, and Gov. David Paterson reported at about 2:40 p.m. that “12 or 13″ people had been killed. Officials said about 10 minutes later that the shooter was found dead inside the building, according to TV reports. Eyewitnesses had earlier told News 10 Now that two people were brought out in handcuffs, though it was later reported that those men were not suspects.

A law enforcement official says a gunman entered the American Civic Association building through the front while firing. He had already blocked the back door with his car. A citizenship examination was taking place, Vice President Joe Biden told an audience.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the situation continued.

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

The newspaper reported 41 hostages in the building of the American Civic Association and said apartments were being evacuated.

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

The condition of the victims wasn’t immediately clear.

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.

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 website.