Shooting at YouTube offices in California: Female suspect dead from self-inflicted wound, several hurt

SAN FRANCISCO: Gunfire erupted at YouTube's offices in California Tuesday, leaving at least three people injured and sparking a panicked escape before the suspected shooter -- a woman -- apparently committed suicide.

Amid a chaotic scene in the city of San Bruno, a woman believed to be the shooter was found dead at the scene of the Google-owned video sharing service.

"We have one subject who is deceased inside the building with a self-inflicted wound," San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini told reporters. "At this time, we believe it to be the shooter." Barberini mentioned "four victims" but it was not immediately clear if that included the shooter.

Shootings by women are an extremely rare occurrence in the United States where the overwhelming majority of gun violence is carried out by men.

According to an FBI study that looked at 160 incidents involving one or more shooters in public places between 2000 and 2013 -- just six of the people who opened fire were women, a share of 3.8 percent.

HERE ARE ALL LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

3:30 pm: Amid conflicting reports on casualties, San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said the injured "have been transported and are being treated for injuries that are treatable."

He said police had sealed off the building as they pursued the investigation and searched for any additional possible victims.
 

3:15 pm: Google communications tweeted: "Re: YouTube situation, we are coordinating with authorities and will provide official information here from Google and YouTube as it becomes available."

Re: YouTube situation, we are coordinating with authorities and will provide official information here from Google and YouTube as it becomes available.

— Google Communications (@Google_Comms) April 3, 2018

3:15 pm:  "We were sitting in a meeting and then we heard people running because it was rumbling the floor. First thought was earthquake," employee Todd Sherman tweeted.

I looked down and saw blood drips on the floor and stairs. Peaked around for threats and then we headed downstairs and out the front.

— Todd Sherman (@tdd) April 3, 2018

3:15 pm:  Police believe YouTube shooter died of self-inflicted gunshot. Female suspect dead after YouTube shooting: US media

2:25 pm: The White House says President Donald Trump has been briefed on a shooting at YouTube headquarters in Northern California and that officials are monitoring it.

Was just briefed on the shooting at YouTube’s HQ in San Bruno, California. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved. Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2018

2:25 pm: Coroner's spokesman Thomas McGovern says investigators were called to the scene Tuesday afternoon. He wouldn't say if anyone was dead.

2:20 pm: One hospital in Northern California says it has received four to five patients from the shooting. Police in the city of San Bruno have confirmed an active shooter.

2:10 pm: Northern California's Stanford Hospital says it has received four to five patients from a shooting at YouTube headquarters. Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Kim did not have information on their conditions or their wounds.

1:50 pm: On Tuesday afternoon (local time in California), San Bruno area Police confirmed on Twitter: "We are responding to an active shooter. Please stay away from Cherry Ave & Bay Hill Drive." Online images showed armed officers descending on the campus near San Francisco.

Police activity at 901 Cherry Ave, please stay out of the area. pic.twitter.com/H6iAj0g7ra

— San Bruno Police (@SanBrunoPolice) April 3, 2018

1: 45 pm: A YouTube employee, Vadim Lavrusik, tweeted: "Active shooter at YouTube HQ. Heard shots and saw people running while at my desk. Now barricaded inside a room with coworkers." Later, Lavrusik said he had escaped to safety.

Active shooter at YouTube HQ. Heard shots and saw people running while at my desk. Now barricaded inside a room with coworkers.

— Vadim Lavrusik (@Lavrusik) April 3, 2018

YouTube headquarters is located some 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the main Google campus in Mountain View.

The shooting, which follows a series of deadly gun incidents at schools and elsewhere, comes amid heated debate on gun control measures in the United States.

An estimated 1.5 million people participated in demonstrations March 24 calling for stricter firearms measures following a deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Organizers of the March for Our Lives sent a message of solidarity to the employees hit by Tuesday's shooting, tweeting "Our hearts are with you, @YouTube."
 

(With inputs from AP, AFP)