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View Full Version : [BREAKING NEWS] - Several Shot, Dozens of Hostages Taken at Immigration Center in Upstate New York



zero7one
3 April 2009, 10:38
This is occurring right now....

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512441,00.html




DEVELOPING: Several people were shot Friday and dozens of hostages taken at an immigration center in upstate New York.

There may be some fatalities in the rampage at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, N.Y., but police declined to say whether that's the case.

Binghamton Police told FOXNews.com that they couldn't confirm whether any of the shooting victims died and wouldn't give the number shot because it was still "an active scene."

But a local hospital said they were treating at least five shooting victims.

The five with gunshot wounds were at the local Wilson Medical Center, one in critical condition, hospital community relations vice president Christina Boyd told FOX News.

SWAT team officers have surrounded the building but "they do not have it secured," a Binghamton police spokesman told FOXNews.com.

The Associated Press reported that at least 4 people were shot and 41 were taken hostage.

Hospital staff were in the process of notifying the families, according to Boyd. None of the victims were identified, and there were extra doctors and nurses there to handle the emergency, she said.

Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan told the local Press & Sun Bulletin newspaper that the gunman had a high-powered rifle. The shooter was described by local media as an Asian male in a green jacket.

Apartments and schools in the area have been evacuated or are on lockdown.

The mayhem began about 10:30 a.m. EDT Friday.

There were classes scheduled Friday at the immigration services center, located in the same town as Binghamton University, part of the State University of New York (SUNY).

At least four people were taken from the building on stretchers and moved to hospitals, local media said.

Emergency dispatchers were in contact with some people inside by phone, WBNG-TV reported. The gunman might still be in the building, the station reported.

Four people were removed from the building on stretchers and taken to hospitals, and 10 more ambulances were called, the newspaper reported. The Binghamton police commando team responded.

Linda Miller, a spokeswoman at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, confirmed that a student from Binghamton University was being treated at the emergency room. 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.

Police have locked down a nearby high school and advised local business owners to stay inside.

People escaped to the basement of the building and more than a dozen people hid in a closet, WBNG reported.

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 Web site.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please refresh page for updates.

zero7one
3 April 2009, 10:41
Another tragedy that is occurring way too much lately. This will only fuel the fire for the debate of gun control. Ultimately it will only hurt those of us who wish to legally carry and use firearms. Too bad none of the individuals inside the American Civic Association were packing and could have ended this quickly. Gun control will not eliminate incidents such as this, it will only disarm the innocent so they cannot protect themselves and others.

zero7one
3 April 2009, 12:37
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512441,00.html


DEVELOPING: Thirteen people are dead after a gunman opened fire at an immigration center in Binghamton, N.Y.

The shooter, described by local media as a young Asian male, blocked the back door of the building with his car, then stormed in through the front entrance while firing a high-powered gun. Several people were taken hostage.

The bloodbath killed 12 people plus the gunman, who wasn't immediately identified.

New York Gov. David Paterson said "12 or 13" were dead; a federal law enforcement official told the AP that the gunman's body was discovered inside the upstate civic center.

"This is a tragic day for New York," Paterson said in a prepared statement. "While the situation is still developing and details are being gathered, we do know that a gunman entered the American Civic Association in Binghamton this morning and that there are fatalities."

Titleist
3 April 2009, 15:21
Ugh, it's horrible news. And it's obviously a tragedy. I'm just as upset that the pro-ban people are probably grinning like Cheshire Cats at this point.

airborneski
3 April 2009, 16:10
Just a few hrs. from me.

Ryo
3 April 2009, 18:19
Great.. now giving Asians a bad name too..

Very tragic.. Now if a few of the people being shot at was armed.. I wonder would it have turned out the same way.

airborneski
3 April 2009, 18:35
This is a personal reminder on carrying more and more religiously.