SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Dec. 2 (UPI) — At least three people were shot dead Wednesday and several others were wounded after at least one gunman opened fire inside a developmental services facility east of the Los Angeles area, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 11 a.m. local time at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino — about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
NBC Los Angeles reported that officials confirmed at least three dead as a result of the shootings.
The victims were transported to nearby Loma Linda Medical University, CBS News reported.
A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino Police Department told reporters that there may have been more than one shooter and possibly as many as three inside the facility, the Los Angeles Times reported.
One report said the suspect was heavily armed and wore tactical body armor, although San Bernardino police did not immediately confirm that detail.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from the scene as they attend to wounded and search for the gunman.
SWAT team members are combing the area searching for the suspect or suspects. Multiple agencies — including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the California Highway Patrol — are assisting local authorities in the case, officials said.
Law enforcement officials were also interviewing everyone in the immediate vicinity of the scene and preventing them from leaving the perimeter, in the event a suspect is among them.
The San Bernardino Board of Supervisors has convened an emergency meeting to settle on a course of action to handle the mass shooting, NBC Los Angeles reported.
The Inland Regional Center, a private nonprofit facility, aids persons with developmental disabilities in San Bernardino and nearby Riverside County.
“This is wrong. Why would they target an agency that deals with helping handicapped people?” asked one man who has a relative who is employed at the Inland Regional Center.
“My prayers are with the victims, families and survivors of this horrific attack,” state Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) said. “My heart aches that the out-of-control gun violence epidemic has come to our community.”
“What more evidence do you need that we need to step it up as it relates to gun safety in this state?” Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “It is just unacceptable what is going on in this country. And California needs to lead the way.”
President Barack Obama, who has repeatedly advocated for stricter gun laws, was briefed on the shooting Wednesday afternoon — as was Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton.
“I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now,” Clinton tweeted.
“Enough is enough,” Democratic candidate Martin O’Malley tweeted. “It’s time to stand up to the NRA and enact meaningful gun safety laws.”
“California shooting looks very bad,” GOP candidate Donald Trump tweeted. “Good luck to law enforcement and God bless. This is when our police are so appreciated!”
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