Several persons have reportedly been killed in shooting that occurred at the Inland Regional Center, a facility for people with developmental disabilities in California Wednesday.
MSNBC reported that law enforcement authorities confirmed the three deaths, and a reporter for the local NBC affiliate said he saw three bodies following the shooting rampage.
The San Bernardino Police Department said on Twitter that it had “confirmed 1 to 3 possible suspects” and multiple victims in the shooting. The agency called it an “active shooter” incident.
It is unclear how many people were at the facility at the time of the shooting. The center’s Facebook page says it employs nearly 670 people at its facilities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, providing service to more than 30,200 people. Police are attending a shooting at a social services facility for disabled people in California.
According to BBC fire officials in San Bernardino said it was responding to a “20 victim shooting incident” and it was working to clear the scene. ABC News reports that there are 12 people dead but police have not confirmed that number.
It is still a “very active scene” and police are trying to secure the building, said a police spokeswoman. There may be up to three gunmen, she said, and they were heavily armed and possibly wearing body armour.
One man received a text from his daughter that said she was hiding inside the building, where she works. Terry Petit told reporters his daughter wrote to him: “People shot. In the office waiting for cops. Pray for us. I am locked in an office.”
President Barack Obama has been briefed on the shooting, White House officials confirmed to a news agency.