Seems to be a rash of these mass killings this year.
At least 13 people, gunman dead in Binghamton, New York(CNN) -- A gunman barricaded the back door of an immigration services center with his car and burst through the front door on a shooting rampage, killing 13 people and then, apparently, himself, police said.
Four more were wounded in the attack at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York, and taken to hospitals in critical condition, according to authorities.
Police say they are still verifying the shooter's identity, but they believe that he was a man carrying a satchel of ammunition who was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot to the head, police Chief Joseph Zikuski said.
"It is our understanding he had ties to the civic association," Zikuski said.
A warrant is being obtained to search the suspected shooter's home in nearby Johnson City, another law enforcement source said.
In all, law enforcement removed 14 deceased people from the building and 37 survivors, Zikuski said, in what the city's mayor has called the "most tragic day in Binghamton's history."
At 10:31 a.m., authorities received a 911 call from one of two receptionists who were the first victims of the rampage.
She told police that the a man with a handgun shot her and her colleague before proceeding to a nearby classroom and opening fire, Zikuski said.
The other receptionist died, the police chief said.
While the gunman continued to fire, 26 others in the center hid in a boiler room downstairs, where law enforcement found them.
Zikuski hastened to add that two people who were led from the building in plastic handcuffs earlier in the day are not considered suspects.
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama offered their condolences to the grieving community. Are you there? See submitted images, send your own
"Michelle and I were shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the act of senseless violence in Binghamton, New York, today," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and the people of Binghamton."
Vice President Joe Biden, who was in New York on unrelated business, also condemned the acts and called on Americans to stop the cycle of violence.
"I'd ask you to keep all those folks in your prayers," he said. "I think it's time that, we gotta figure a way to deal with this senseless, senseless violence." Watch Biden call shootings 'senseless' »
Nearby apartments were evacuated, and Binghamton High School was locked down for most of the afternoon.
The American Civic Association helps immigrants and refugees with a number of issues, including personal counseling, resettlement, citizenship and reunification, and provides interpreters and translators, according to the United Way of Broome County, which is affiliated with the association.
Rashidun Haque, who owns a nearby convenience store, said police had him and his four customers stay inside and away from the windows.
"I'm really shaky, because this kind of thing -- it's a small city, it's a beautiful city, but nothing goes down serious like this," Haque said. Watch store owner describe police 'flooding the streets' »
He said the Civic Association building is about a two-minute walk from downtown.
Binghamton is about 140 miles northwest of New York City.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/03/binghamton.shooting/index.html
