A disgruntled city employee opened fire at a municipal building in Virginia Beach on Friday, killing 11 people before police fatally shot him, authorities said.
Six other was wounding in the shooting, including an officer whose bulletproof vest saved his life, said Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera.
Five patients were being treated at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and a sixth had been used in the Trauma Center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Healthcare tweeted.
The shooter opened fire in Building 2 of the municipal center, which will be adjacent to City Hall. The building houses the city’s public works, public utilities and planning departments, according to City Councilwoman Barbara Henley, who attained City Hall building about 4 p.m. Friday soon after the shooting.
Megan Banton, an administrative assistant who works in the building where in fact the shooting happened, said she heard gunshots, called 911 and barricaded a door.
“We tried to do everything we could to keep everybody safe,” she said. “We were all just terrified. It felt like it wasn’t real like we were in a dream. You are just terrified because all you can hear is the gunshots.”
She said she texted her mom, telling her that there clearly was an active shooter in the building and she and others were waiting for police. Banton works in an office of approximately 20 people that is the area of the public works department.
