VIRGINIA BEACH—A shooter wounded “multiple” people at a municipal center in Virginia Beach on May 31, according to police, who said they had taken a suspect into custody and believed the person was acting alone.
Police tweeted that there were “multiple injuries,” but did not elaborate on the exact number or extent. They announced a news conference on Friday evening.
Live on @WTKR3: Someone inside the building where today’s mass shooting in Virginia Beach talks about what happened as the shooting happened. https://t.co/Xl5wJEUt16 pic.twitter.com/SnbXpUXVui
— Blaine Stewart (@BlaineStewart) May 31, 2019
Six people were hospitalized after a shooting at a municipal center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, hospital officials tweeted Friday.
Virginia Beach General Hospital said there were five patients there. A patient who was at Princess Anne Hospital was being transferred to Norfolk General Hospital, a Level I trauma center.
It was unclear whether all six patients had gunshot wounds and whether the shooter was among the patients.
Christina Pullen, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Norfolk, said the bureau is responding to assist Virginia Beach police.
BREAKING VIDEO: People being rushed out of Virginia Beach Municipal Center after shooting with multiple victims; FBI responding pic.twitter.com/9Z5QryTjcM
— News Breaking LIVE (@NewsBreaking) May 31, 2019
A police spokesman told The Virginian-Pilot that the shooter opened fire in Building 2 of the municipal center, which is adjacent to City Hall. The building houses the city’s public works, public utilities, and planning departments, according to City Councilwoman Barbara Henley, who arrived at City Hall building about 4 p.m. Friday when she saw a crowd of people standing outside.
BREAKING PHOTOS: Employees seen outside of Virginia Beach Municipal Center after shooting; multiple victims reported (WAVY-TV) pic.twitter.com/1yE0aHdoQn
— News Breaking LIVE (@NewsBreaking) May 31, 2019
“Somebody told me there had been a shooting and they were told to leave. Afterward, I heard a loud male voice say, ‘Get down!’ so I did,” Henley told The Associated Press.
“When the person said to get down, then everybody dispersed pretty quickly,” she said.
“I’m just sick,” she said. “All these people that I work with all the time. They are such really fine people, and I just hope they’re all safe.”
The CNN Wire contributed to this report.