Virginia Beach shooting: At least 12 killed as employee opens fire on colleagues at city offices

A gunman has killed at least 12 people when he opened fire at a local government building in the US state of Virginia.

Four other people were injured in the mass shooting, including a police officer whose bulletproof vest saved his life.

The shooting happened at about 4pm local time (9pm BST) on Friday when an employee of the Public Utilities Department entered a building at the Virginia Beach Municipal Centre, and "immediately began to indiscriminately fire upon all of the victims," Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera said.

The gunman has been identified as DeWayne Craddock, who had worked for the city as an engineer for 15 years.

Police entered the building and exchanged fire with Craddock, who was killed in the shoot-out.

Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera speaks during a news conference about the shootings
AP

Police initially said the gunman shot and killed 11 people, including one who was found inside a vehicle outside the building. Mr Cervera later said one more died on the way to the hospital.

The shooting sent shock waves through Virginia Beach, the state's largest city and a popular holiday spot in south-eastern Virginia.

The building where the attack took place is in a suburban area miles away from the high-rise hotels along the beach and the business area.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said on Twitter he was "devastated to learn of the tragic shooting tonight in Virginia Beach".

"My heart is with everyone who lost a loved one, and I'm praying for a swift recovery for all those who have been injured," he said.

"This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach," the city's mayor Bobby Dyer said.

Police work the scene where 12 people were killed during the mass shooting at the Virginia Beach city public works building
AP

Virginia governor Ralph Northam said in a statement he was devastated by the "unspeakable, senseless violence" and is offering the state's full support to survivors and relatives of the victims.

"That they should be taken in this manner is the worst kind of tragedy," the governor said during the news conference.

The White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed and was monitoring the situation.

Crime scene tape is strung between trees near the perimeter of the Municipal Center
Getty Images

Megan Banton, an administrative assistant who works in the building where the shooting happened, said she heard gunshots, called the police and barricaded a door.

"We tried to do everything we could to keep everybody safe," she said.

"We were all just terrified. It felt like it wasn't real, like we were in a dream. You are just terrified because all you can hear is the gunshots."

Ms Banton, who works in an office of about 20 people that is part of the public works department, said she texted her mother, telling her that there was an active gunman in the building and she and others were waiting for police.

Virginia State Police block the entrance to the Municipal Center following the deadly mass shooting
Getty Images

At a nearby school, friends and relatives reunited with loved ones who were in the building when the shooting happened.

They included Paul Swain, 50, who said he saw his fiancee from across the car park, clearly in an agitated state.

"I think she knew some of the people," he said.

Outside the school, Cheryl Benn, 65, waited while her husband, David, a traffic engineer with the city who was in the building where the shooting happened, gave a written statement to detectives.

She said her husband initially called her from a barricaded room and said it sounded as if someone had been working with a nail gun.

"This is unbelievable for Virginia Beach," Ms Benn said. "By and large, it's a pretty calm and peaceful place to live."

Additional reporting by agencies

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