At least three people have been shot dead, and two others injured, after a gunman opened fire in a bank headquarters in Cincinnati,
Police Chief Eliot Isaac said the shooter opened fire early Thursday morning at the loading dock of the Fifth Third Bank building.
Mr Isaac said the gunman then entered the bank's lobby where he exchanged gunfire with the shooter. It is unclear if the gunman shot himself or was shot by officers. One of the victims died at the scene.
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said the gunman was “actively shooting innocent victims” and that it was a “horrific” scene.
He noted the building on the city's Fountain Square houses popular ice cream, sandwich and pastry shops and said it “could have been much, much worse” if not for the immediate police response to end the threat.
Police earlier said they were responding to the incident as an “active shooter/officer involved shooting” in a tweet.
Three men and one woman were transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, hospital officials said. Two died, one is in critical condition and one is in serious condition. Each suffered gunshot wounds, officials said.
“Our physicians and staff are focused on caring for the patients and their families. We prepare for situations like these and hope they never happen,” Amanda Nageleisen, a spokeswoman, said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all involved.”
People in and around the building reported hearing a series of gunshots.
“I heard about eight gunshots, and I actually got on my knees. I kind of got down on the ground and then all the cops started coming,” witness James Walker told local news outlet WLWT. “I'm still shaking.”
Associated Press contributed to this report
