Four people have been taken to hospitals. The Binghamton and Broome County SWAT teams are on the scene, along with a negotiator. The SWAT team is getting ready to re-enter the building. The shooter is still inside, police said. There were reportedly 41 hostages in the building -- 15 in a closet and 26 in the boiler room. Family members of the hostages and victims are gathering at Catholic Charities at 290 Front St. in Binghamton, police said. One male was down with a woman shot in the stomach, according to a police radio. The female victim was a secretary. Police have since called for 10 ambulances. Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan, who was at the scene, said there was a hostage situation in the Civic Association building, located at 131 Front St. Ryan said the shooter has a high-powered rifle. The suspect was described as an Asian male, between 5-feet 8-inches and 6 feet tall, wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses. He's described as being in his 20s. Police shut down Main, North and Oak streets to respond to the incident, as well as Front Street at Gerard Avenue. The Memorial Bridge is also shut down, and police are taping off the corner of Front and North. The American Civic Association helps immigrants and refugees with immigration and personal counseling, resettlement, citizenship, family reunification and translators. It also intervenes with emergencies, including fighting, hunger and homelessness, according to information from the association's website.
-- Posted By Breaking News to Break News at 4/03/2009 07:39:00 PM
