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The suspect, who was identified as a 70-year-old Arthur D. Harmon, remains at large and was described by police as "armed and dangerous."
The shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. MST (12:30 p.m. EST) at an office building in Phoenix, Arizona. Harmon, a white male, was seen fleeing the scene in a white SUV. After firing his gun and hitting at least five people, he escaped from police.
The building was evacuated and the five victims hospitalized while police were searching the compound for any additional victims.
One of the victims, a 48-year-old Steve Singer, the CEO of Fusion Contract Centers Inc, died in hospital. Police did not release the names of the other victims.
Harmon appears to have been working alone, and the reason behind the attack remains unknown, officer James Holmes told the press.
"We have no motive. It is right now a really fluid scene," Holmes told AP.
© azfamily.comStill from video.
© Reuters/Joshua LottPeople embrace outside an office building where a gunman fired shots inside during business hours in Phoenix, Arizona January 30, 2013.
Employees working in various areas of the building complex at which the shooting took place described hearing a number of gunshots and locked themselves into their offices. Vannessa Brogan, an employee working in the sales support department of an insurance business in the complex, described hearing a loud bang. Others in her office admitted hearing multiple loud noises, prompting employees to lock themselves in their offices until police evacuated the building.
"It was a little tense. Everybody came and hid in the IT room," said Rob Hayter, an employee at Pioneer Title Agency.
© Reuters/Joshua LottPeople gather outside an office building where a gunman fired shots inside during business hours in Phoenix, Arizona January 30, 2013.
The streets near the scene of the shooting remain heavily congested with traffic, as police have cordoned off a major intersection.
Authorities have also converged on a home near 28th Street and Greenway Road, which is about seven miles away from the office building in the 730 block of 16th street near Glendale Avenue. Police think the suspect might live in the house, but believe he is not currently there.
This most recent mass shooting occurred shortly after former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) spoke at a Senate hearing on gun control, urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to act courageously to curb gun violence in the US. Giffords was shot in the head in Jan. 2011 in a reported assassination attempt near Tucson, Arizona. The former congresswoman was critically injured and lost much of her ability to walk, speak, read and write.
Speaking slowly due to her impaired speech, Giffords urged Congress to work towards reducing gun violence.
"We must do something," she said, looking up at the senators before her. "It will be hard. But the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you."
Later during the hearing, retired Navy captain and Giffords' husband Mark Kelly said that while the session was underway, there had been another shooting in Arizona "with multiple victims". Details about the shootings remained and continue to remain largely unknown, but he urged Congress to work towards tougher background checks, among other measures, to prevent "many of these murders and mass shootings in this country."
© Reuters/Joshua LottA member of the SWAT team is seen outside an office building where a gunman fired shots inside during business hours in Phoenix, Arizona January 30, 2013.
It’s amazing how the suspect always gets away when it’s not staged.
And I’m sorry if this comment offends some of your pansy ass people but, my niece was killed with a gun at point blank range. She died instantly. She was 22. She left behind a daughter and a grieving family. NEVER ONCE have we blamed Guns, Gun Manufacturers or the Government for not doing enough to stop gun violence or the lawful possession of GUNS.
We blame the dumbass that killed her!
Get over yourselves, you selfish assholes!