Live Now: Cincinnati Shoots at the Fifth Third Bank in Fountain Square, Killing 4 Dead, Including a Shooter

CINCINNATI – A gunman opened fire Thursday morning in a building in the heart of Cincinnati during an attack that killed him and three other people, police said. The shooting led people to cross the fountain square amid shouts of "shooter!"

That happened in a 30-storey building, which houses the headquarters of the Fifth Third Bancorp regional banker and other businesses, including ice cream, pastry and sandwich shops. The bank building was closed for most of the morning and the surrounding streets and sidewalks were closed.

Chief of Police Eliot Isaac said the shooter fired at 9:10 am (local time) at the loading dock of the fifth building of the third bank. Isaac stated that the gunman entered the lobby of the bank where he exchanged fire with the police.

"Our agents reacted very quickly," said Isaac. "They engaged the threat and they neutralized this threat, however, some tragedies have occurred … You know, these are things we see across the country and we all have to be vigilant and ready to deal with the situation. . " these situations. "

It is unclear whether the shooter fired a bullet or was shot by officers. Michael Richardson, who works in the bank's building, told The Cincinnati Enquirer that he was standing in front of the entrance when he heard gunshots in the lobby.

"I looked behind me and saw the guy – he shot and then he shot again, after that I started running."

The shooter was not identified immediately. The police did not comment on a possible motive.

"So, a very horrible situation," said Isaac. "We are at the very beginning (of the investigation)."

Federal agents were on the scene as the police searched the building. One of the victims died on the scene.

Two other people died at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. UC Health spokeswoman Kelly Martin said one victim had remained in critical condition and another was considered to be serious.

All four brought to the hospital had gunshot wounds, Martin said. Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said the gunman "was actively shooting innocent victims."

The Fountain Square often hosts concerts, dances, food trucks and other events around lunch or dinner, and is adjacent to a hotel, restaurants and retail stores. "It could have been one of us," Cranley said.

He praised the "heroism" of the police who put an end to the threat in a matter of seconds and to the reaction of other members of the emergency staff. "It could have been a lot, a lot worse," said Cranley.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with people fleeing in fear and confusion as they heard gunshots. Leonard Cain told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he was going to the bank when someone alerted him that there were gunshots.

He said that a woman, who was wearing headphones, did not hear the warnings and went into the bank and was shot.

Fifth Third operates some 1,200 branches in 10 states. The company said in a statement posted on Twitter that she "would continue to work with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our employees and our customers".