A gunman has killed at least 12 people after taking dozens hostage in the US state of New York, the governor says.
The suspected gunman was later found dead inside the immigration centre in Binghamton, federal officials told the Associated Press news agency.
At least 26 people were injured during the shooting, north-west of New York City, reports said.
The governor of New York state, David Paterson, said it was "a tragic day for New York".
Mr Paterson confirmed that 12 or 13 people had been killed.
"This is a horrible situation. There's actually no reason or excuse for this kind of shooting and brutal attack of innocent people right here in New York state," he said.
Local Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the gunman was carrying a high-powered rifle.
Two other people seen being led away by police in plastic handcuffs during the incident are not believed to be suspects.
The gunman used his car to barricade the building's back door before bursting in the front door, firing his weapon, the unnamed official told AP.
About 15 or so employees came out crying with their hands behind their heads
A spokeswoman for Our Lady of Lourdes hospital told the BBC several people had been admitted with serious injuries.
Susan Linerode said the hospital was expecting to receive more casualties and staff had been told to stay at work.
Eyewitnesses described seeing some people fleeing the building.
"About 15 or so employees of the Civic Association came out crying with their hands behind their heads," one witness told Binghamton's WNBF Radio.
"They were escorted by the police and they took them to ambulances and took them away," he said.
Witnesses reported seeing a man entering the building during the morning. He was described as being of Asian appearance, in his 20s, and wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.
RECENT US SHOOTINGS
March 2009: A gunman kills a total of 11 people in a series of shootings southern Alabama
Dec 2008: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus kills nine people and himself on Christmas Eve in LA
Sept 2008: Six people die in a series of shootings in the north-west of Washington state
June 2008: A worker at a plastics plant in Kentucky kills five people before killing himself
Apr 2007: 32 people and the gunman die at the Virginia Tech campus
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby had been evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene.
It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown and some streets had been sealed off.
Bob Joseph of WNBF Radio told the BBC the town had never experienced an incident on such a scale before.
The ACA says on its website that it assists immigrants and refugees with personal and immigration counselling.
The suspected gunman was later found dead inside the immigration centre in Binghamton, federal officials told the Associated Press news agency.
At least 26 people were injured during the shooting, north-west of New York City, reports said.
The governor of New York state, David Paterson, said it was "a tragic day for New York".
Mr Paterson confirmed that 12 or 13 people had been killed.
"This is a horrible situation. There's actually no reason or excuse for this kind of shooting and brutal attack of innocent people right here in New York state," he said.
Local Mayor Matthew Ryan told reporters the gunman was carrying a high-powered rifle.
Two other people seen being led away by police in plastic handcuffs during the incident are not believed to be suspects.
The gunman used his car to barricade the building's back door before bursting in the front door, firing his weapon, the unnamed official told AP.
About 15 or so employees came out crying with their hands behind their heads
A spokeswoman for Our Lady of Lourdes hospital told the BBC several people had been admitted with serious injuries.
Susan Linerode said the hospital was expecting to receive more casualties and staff had been told to stay at work.
Eyewitnesses described seeing some people fleeing the building.
"About 15 or so employees of the Civic Association came out crying with their hands behind their heads," one witness told Binghamton's WNBF Radio.
"They were escorted by the police and they took them to ambulances and took them away," he said.
Witnesses reported seeing a man entering the building during the morning. He was described as being of Asian appearance, in his 20s, and wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.
RECENT US SHOOTINGS
March 2009: A gunman kills a total of 11 people in a series of shootings southern Alabama
Dec 2008: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus kills nine people and himself on Christmas Eve in LA
Sept 2008: Six people die in a series of shootings in the north-west of Washington state
June 2008: A worker at a plastics plant in Kentucky kills five people before killing himself
Apr 2007: 32 people and the gunman die at the Virginia Tech campus
The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin said homes nearby had been evacuated and a police commando unit was at the scene.
It said apartments and a nearby school and care home were under lockdown and some streets had been sealed off.
Bob Joseph of WNBF Radio told the BBC the town had never experienced an incident on such a scale before.
The ACA says on its website that it assists immigrants and refugees with personal and immigration counselling.
