A man opened fire Thursday in the lobby of a building for senior residents in Vancouver, Wash., killing a man and wounding two women and then barricading himself inside his apartment before surrendering, police say. The injuries of the wounded people were critical and they were taken to a hospital, fire department officials say. The shooter was identified by police Thursday evening as 80-year-old Robert E. Breck, a resident of the 15-story Smith Tower building. Vancouver Police spokeswoman Kim Kapp says he surrendered. Breck was booked into Clark County Jail on suspicion of murder and attempted murder charges, the AP reports.
Some parts of the building were evacuated during the standoff and other residents were told to stay inside their apartments. Kapp says police do not know what led to the shooting or the identities of the people who were shot. Kapp says the patrol officers who responded were replaced with SWAT team officers who have more tactical training because of the complexity of the situation. During negotiations with the suspect, SWAT officers could be seen standing on balconies on several floors. Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said in a statement that "our hearts go out to the victims and their families as they deal with this tragedy."
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