Police and other emergency services in California are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Veterans Home in Yountville, local officials say. Several people are believed to have been taken hostage.
The incident began at about 10:20 a.m. PT on Friday when officers were called to reports of a shooting near the dining hall at the facility, which is located in the town of Yountville in Napa County.
Several news reports said the suspect is armed with a rifle and is described as wearing body armor.
A large number of police officers and other emergency services have responded to the scene, but there was no immediate word on whether anyone had been injured. Local officials said the suspect has taken 2 or 3 hostages.
The incident is taking place on the second floor of Building G. The veterans community has been put on lockdown and residents have been told to shelter in place until further notice.
“Law enforcement is at the Yountville Veteran’s Home right now following reports of gunfire. The safety of our residents, workers and the community is our top priority,” the state’s veterans agency CalVet said in a statement. “We have activated our emergency response protocol and are cooperating with law enforcement.”
The Veterans Home of California-Yountville is a community for veterans in the heart of Napa Valley. Founded in 1884, it is the largest veterans’ home in the United States, offering services to more than 1,000 aged or disabled veterans.
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