Washington - A large number of Vietnamese who were preparing to become US citizens were in the building Friday in upstate New York where a gunman killed up to
13 people, media reports said.

The shootings took place at the American Civic Association Building in the small city of Binghamton, New York, a site that provides immigration and refugee services, including language classes.

In addition to the dead, five people were wounded and being treated at local hospitals, reports said. The suspected killer was found dead in the building with a gunshot wound in his head after dozens of hostages were held for several hours.

At one point during the killing and hostage crisis, police also reportedly asked for a Vietnamese translator. (dpa)