Twelve people killed at Washington Navy Yard.

At least 12 people have been killed in a mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, officials have said.

At least four others including a police officer were injured, officials said.

Shots were reported at 08:20 local time (13:20 GMT), and dozens of armed police officers converged on a building at the naval installation.


A gunman was killed at the scene and police are searching for two other "potential" gunmen, Washington Police Chief Cathy Lanier said.

Officials are searching the area surrounding the Navy Yard in south-east Washington DC for two additional suspects in military-style uniform, Ms Lanier said.

"The big concern for us right now is that we potentially have two other shooters that we have not located," she said.

She described one as a white male in a tan short-sleeve military-style outfit and beret hat. He was last seen about 08:35 local time carrying a handgun.

A black male 40-50 years of age and wearing olive kit was seen carrying a long gun and is also being sought.

'Severe' injuries

Gunman 'aimed at us'
Ms Lanier said 12 people were deceased. Washington Mayor Vincent Gray said four people were wounded in the shooting.

One police officer was shot in the legs and other police officers were injured in other ways.

At least three people including the shot police officer were brought to Washington Hospital Center by helicopter with "severe" gunshot wounds, said chief medical officer Janis Orlowski.

A female civilian was shot in the head and hand, and another woman was being treated for a shoulder wound, she said.

All three were in critical condition but their chances for survival were "very good", Dr Orlowski said.

Authorities said no motive was yet known for the shooting.

The FBI has taken control of the scene and the investigation, Ms Lanier said.

Security around the US Capitol was bolstered following news of the shooting. The US Senate adjourned for the day earlier than scheduled, according to Politico.

The shooting occurred at a building on the campus that serves as the headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command.

Continue reading the main story
Law enforcement officers respond to a shooting at Washington Navy Yard on 16 September 2013
Law enforcement officers arrived on scene at Washington Navy Yard within minutes of a reported shooting on Monday morning
Continue reading the main story
1/7
Eyewitness Patricia Ward reported hearing at least seven shots from inside a cafeteria on Monday morning.

"It just happened so fast… I just ran," she said.

Cmdr Tim Jirus was on the fourth floor of the building when he heard shots, he told the BBC.

"It sounded like a cap gun as opposed to a real gun," he said. "I feel very lucky to be alive. Someone standing there talking to me got shot. I didn't."

'Unimaginable violence'


Professor Gary Solis explains what the Washington Navy Yard does
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department has instructed family members to reunite at the car park of a nearby baseball stadium.

President Barack Obama has been briefed on the matter by senior aides and has directed federal agencies to co-ordinate their response and investigation efforts.

At the White House, Mr Obama said he mourned "yet another mass shooting" and sent his thoughts and prayers to the victims.

"These are men and women going to work and doing their job," he said. "They know the dangers of serving abroad, but today they face the unimaginable violence that they wouldn't have expected here at home."

As many as 3,000 people work at the command, which engineers, purchases, builds and maintains ships and submarines for the Navy.

The Washington Navy Yard is the US Navy's oldest shore installation, first opened in the early 19th Century, according to the Navy.