In a tragic incident, 12 were killed and several injured at a shooting in a government office at Virginia Beach city. According to reports, indiscriminate firing took place in the public utility building till the gunman was shot by the police in an exchange of bullets. An officer was also shot in the vest in the process. The attack began at around 16:00 (20:00 GMT) at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. The area was then put into lockdown and people were evacuated.

Zand Bakhtiari, 28, was on the first floor of the building when he saw people screaming and running. He first thought it was an accident. His boss then informed the employees that it was an active shooter. They closed the door and got down. Around 50 to 60 shots were fired. 5 to 10 minutes later the employees were led out by a SWAT team.

While one victim was shot outside in a car, the rest of them were found inside the building. Four officers located and killed the gunman inside the office. The police chief said the incident could "best be described as a war zone". He said that the officers had prevented further carnage. A handgun and rifle were recovered at the scene.

The identity of the shooter and the victims have not been revealed. Chief Cervera said: "We're going to mention his name once and then he will forever be referred to as 'the suspect', because our focus now is the dignity and respect to the victims in this case and to their families." Four individuals are reported to have sustained injuries.

It is shocking to note that according to the US tracking website Gun Violence Archive, this incident is the 150th mass shooting in the country this year. Mayor of the city, Robert Dyers described the incident as the "most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach."