Report: 4 shot, hostages taken in Binghamton, NY
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. At least four people were shot and as many as 41 people taken hostage Friday morning at an immigration services center in Binghamton, according to media reports.
Mayor Matthew Ryan 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 Web site.
Posted by: tu3031 2009-04-03 |