At least five people have been killed after a gunman took hostages in a Florida bank and opened fire on bystanders.
The violence unfolded in a SunTrust bank in Sebring at around midday (local time) on Wednesday.
A SWAT team was sent in after the attacker, who barricaded himself inside, refused to negotiate with police.
After armed officers entered the bank, the suspect surrendered. He has been detained and named by authorities as Zephen Xaver, 21.
Authorities said the gunman called the police himself and told them he had fired shots inside the branch.
The suspect is a Sebring resident.
Police confirmed that at least five people were “senselessly murdered” during the hostage situation.
"Today has been a tragic day in our community,” Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said.
“We've suffered significant loss at the hands of a senseless criminal doing a senseless crime."
Officers said the situation was confined to the bank and that there was no danger to the surrounding area.
A spokeswoman for the bank said, "We are working closely with officials and seeking to take care of everyone affected at our Sebring, Florida branch."
Police did not offer any details about a possible motive.
Sebring, a city in the US state, is located about miles south of Orlando.
