SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) — Police said up to 14 people were killed when one or more gunmen opened fire at a San Bernardino social services facility on Wednesday.
The shooting took place at the Inland Regional Center, a nonprofit that works with individuals with developmental disabilities, at 1365 S. Waterman Avenue. The complex is comprised of three buildings. Sgt. Vicki Cervantes with San Bernardino police said the shooting occurred during some type of scheduled event at the facility.
In addition to the fatalities, San Bernardino police Chief Jarrod Burguan said up to 14 people were injured. He said there is no known motive.
Inland Regional Center employee Brandon Hunt told Eyewitness News that he believes the shooting took place in the building with the facility’s main auditorium, where a banquet of some sort was being held. He said the auditorium is regularly rented out to outside agencies. Hunt said approximately 550 people typically work at the facility at any given day.
Investigators were searching the building and have yet to clear it. Police said there were reports of one to three shooters involved, and they were described to be wearing ski masks.
A source confirmed to Eyewitness News that there were three shooters armed with rifles, and there were no suspects in custody. Riverside police said they are helping other agencies look for male suspects in a black SUV, possibly a GMC Yukon.
The suspects are heavily armed and were possibly wearing body armor, according to Cervantes.
PHOTOS: Scene of mass shooting at San Bernardino social services facility
Shortly before noon, dozens of people were seen exiting the building with their hands up. Cervantes said police are taking them to a secure location. She said police are not aware of any other active scenes.
Loma Linda University Medical Center said the hospital’s emergency room is in disaster mode and is expecting an influx of patients. The exact number of patients was not immediately available.
Patton State Hospital officials said the facility is “in crisis” but did not specify how many victims they were expecting.
San Bernardino County officials said six patients were being treated at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
San Bernardino Unified School District officials said more than 70 schools are on lockdown as a precaution.
Marcos Aguilera’s wife was in the building when the gunfire erupted. He said a shooter entered the building next to his wife’s office and opened fire.
A map indicates the location of the Inland Regional Center, 1365 S. Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino. (KABC)
“They locked themselves in her office. They seen bodies on the floor,” Aguilera said, adding that his wife saw ambulances taking people out of the building on stretchers.
Aguilera said his wife was able to get out of the building unharmed.
Terry Pettit said he received a text message from his daughter, telling him that gunmen were in her building and that she and some co-workers were hiding. She said there were 10 to 20 people were shot.
Multiple agencies were working together on scene. FBI and ATF agents were responding to the scene to assist local authorities.
The regional center in Alhambra is closing as a precaution, a client of the facility told Eyewitness News.
There are 21 regional centers across California with more than 40 offices throughout the state.
Pres. Obama on #SanBernardino: "We have a pattern now of mass shootings in this country that has no parallel." pic.twitter.com/Q7f5mqr5I4
— ABC News (@ABC) December 2, 2015
The White House said President Barack Obama was briefed on the situation.
http://abc7.com/news/12-killed-in-shooting-at-san-bernardino-social-services-facility/1106844/
“… adding that his wife saw ambulances taking people out of the building on stretchers.”
Pretty good trick for an ambulance.
Weren’t there any medics on hand?
Hard to take this seriously.
“Multiple agencies were working together on scene. FBI and ATF agents were responding to the scene to assist local authorities.”
WORKING the ‘scene’ would be more accurate.
“The White House said President Barack Obama was briefed on the situation.”
Well before it ever occurred.
“Sgt. Vicki Cervantes with San Bernardino police said the shooting occurred during some type of scheduled event at the facility.”
Probably just something unrelated…nothing to see here.
A false flag is the scheduled ‘event’ she’s referring to, Martist.
Hence the “some type”.
This shite is getting ri-GD-diculous?! Pardon me while I cover the walls with plastic to minimize clean up as I think my head is going to explode. Jeez Louise
That’s to you, #1. Something happened. ..
Ghost in the machine.
Screw off bammy……It’s never gonna fly. This hoax crap is getting pretty old. 😡
Anyone care to bet on where Obama will stage his next mass shooting?
We should have a pool, with half the proceeds going to pay the website’s bills, and the other half going to the winner — kind of like the football pools that bars run.