Fatalities feared, 3 hunted after shooting at San Bernardino, Calif., center for disabled

Fatalities feared, 3 hunted after shooting at San Bernardino, Calif., center for disabled

DEVELOPING: Multiple people were reportedly killed Wednesday at a San Bernardino, Calif., social services facility where employees were hosting a Christmas party, and police were hunting three suspects who appear to have escaped.

As many as 30 hostages were seen coming out of the building where the event occurred minutes after the first call went in to police around 11 a.m. local time. Witnesses said three men in masks and body armor stormed the crowded building and opened fire with rifles, with one shooting people in a conference room where a Christmas party was taking place, according to the Los Angeles Times. Local Fox affiliate KTTV initially reported that at least 12 fatalities may have occurred inside the building, which was surrounded by authorities, just before noon local time. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were responding to the scene, some 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

.@SanBernardinoPD has confirmed 1to3 possible suspects.Multiple victims. #SBCSD &other agencies assisting. More info to come. #SanBernardino

A San Bernardino Sheriff’s Officer told ABC “some type of function” was taking place, and that there were “fatalities.”

An area resident said a woman trapped inside called her father and asked him to “pray for us.”

The attack occurred inside the Inland Regional Center, one of 21 facilities serving people with developmental disabilities run by the state, said Nancy Lungren, spokeswoman for the California Department of Developmental Services. The social services agency administers, authorizes and pays for assistance to people with disabilities such as autism and mental retardation. On an average day, doctors at the regional centers would be evaluating toddlers whose parents have concerns and case workers meeting with developmentally disabled adults.

The San Bernardino facility consists of three buildings, and employs approximately 600 workers.

Glenn Willwerth, who was near enough to the scene to hear shots being fired, told Fox News he saw a black SUV leaving afterward, driving slowly and deliberately. He said he saw people frantically pouring out of the building, some ducking behind cars. Another witness, Jim Estrada, told Fox News he saw 40 or 50 people stream out of the building with their hands up as emergency responders flooded the scene.

Authorities ordered news choppers to clear the area as they hunted the SUV and continued efforts to clear the complex. They were going door-to-door in the area, locking down buildings.

Police were using a robot to search the building for possible explosives, even as they sought the gunmen. The Los Angeles Times reported that a device found inside was detonated, but it was not clear if it was a bomb. It was not clear if any or all of the suspects had escaped, but police were seeking a black SUV.

Witnesses described passing bodies on the ground as they fled, but it was not clear if, or how many, people were killed. A makeshift triage center was set up outside the facility. A local NBC videographer reported there were not enough ambulances to transport victims, and that people were using pickup trucks to carry victims to triage areas.

President Obama was briefed on the situation by his Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco and asked to be updated on the situation as it develops.

The shooting came less than a week after a gunman killed three people and wounded nine in a shooting rampage at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs.

How We Can Help
If you, a friend or a family member find themselves in a situation such as this, please call the Law Office of Scott A. Ferris, P.A. at 305 670-3330 right away. Scott A. Ferris, Esq. is a licensed criminal law attorney who has been practicing law since 1987. He is available whenever you need him to defend your rights. Please learn about our firm at www.FerrisLawFirm.com.
Republished by the Law Office of Scott A. Ferris, P.A.