Virginia Beach shooting: 12 dead after employee opens fire at colleagues

Twelve people have been killed and others were injured on Friday following a shooting at a government building in Virginia, United States.

The suspect, who is a Virginia Beach city employee, fired “indiscriminately” at his colleagues in a building of the Virginia Beach Municipal Centre.

The gunman has been killed by police following a long gunfight with officers.

The shooter has been identified as DeWayne Craddock, according to a law enforcement official.

Police Chief James Cervera described the gunman as a "disgruntled" employee of the coastal resort city's public works department and had shot "indiscriminately" at other workers during his attack.

The police said he he carried out the shooting using a handgun equipped with a "sound suppressor" and extended ammunition magazines.

Megan Banton, a public utilities worker, told TV station WAVY-TV that she and colleagues barricaded themselves in their office to avoid being hurt.

She said: "We just heard people yelling and screaming to get down.

"We put the desk up against the door because we didn't know if they were coming in. We were just hoping that it would be over soon, and then we heard the cops yelling up the steps."

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Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said on Twitter he was "devastated to learn of the tragic shooting tonight in Virginia Beach".

He said: ”My heart is with everyone who lost a loved one, and I'm praying for a swift recovery for all those who have been injured.”

Robert Dyer, the city's mayor, said: "This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach."

This is the deadliest mass shooting in the US since November.