A disgruntled city employee opened fire at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center on Friday afternoon, killing 12 people before being shot dead by police, authorities said.
Multiple people, including a cop, were hospitalized in the shooting, which happened soon after 4 p.m., police officials said.
Responding police exchanged gunfire with the gunman, killing him, Virginia Beach police Chief Jim Cervera said.
The injured cop was saved by his bullet-proof vest, authorities said.
Police said the suspect was a longtime employee of the city’s Public Works Department.
“This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach,” Mayor Bobby Dwyer told reporters.
“The people involved are our friends, coworkers, neighbors and colleagues.”
Workers who were in the building described a terrifying scene, during which they barricaded themselves in their offices; some hid under their desks.
City employee Megan Blanton told the Virginian-Pilot that her supervisor pushed her and fellow workers into an office and propped a desk against a door.
“It felt like forever,” Blanton told the newspaper.
“I never thought this would happen in my building,” Arthur Felton, an 18-year planning department employee, told the Pilot. “The people who were shot — I’m sure I know most of them.”
“This day will not define Virginia Beach,” Council member Aaron Rouse said at the news conference. “We will show the strength of our city.”
With Wires