What I can say about this shooting is that Binghamton will never be the same. In a town with one of the lowest crime ratings in the nation, the community is aghast. The older citizens are wondering why this has happened, while I overheard and spoke with several younger citizens that were comparing the events to an action movie.
In fact there were some that were upset that they were looking in the rain and not hearing gunshots, or seeing the police rush in. What that means about the state of the youth of this nation I do not know, but this was observed by me first hand.
I arrived on the scene at about 12:30, learning about the situation late. By this time the entire area had already been blocked off by local and state police. At some point over the next couple of hours I can state that SWAT officers went through several stages of preparedness - taking and shifting sniper positions. At about 1pm a helicopter was also employed on the scene.
There was no lack of crowds as the rains started at about 1:30. And police were very tight lipped about the events on-going. Every officer I spoke with refused to provide any information, which was good to prevent panic, but bad as later in the day rumors of cell phone shutdowns and a bomb threat at the Federal Building started to circulate.
I want to emphasis that to my knowledge at this moment such news is ONLY a rumor. There is no fact that I am aware of. I am merely discussing the mood and talk among of many in the various crowds.
I have several photographs that go from my arrival on the scene to about 2:15. I know that the local Sun-Press was on the scene, and that at around 1:45 reporters from Syracuse 9 showed up - shushing the crowd as they got establishing shots.
I was not paying attention to the time, but I guess around 1:30 or so, several hostages were released from the front of the Civic Association building. I was told by several onlookers that had a view of the back of the Civic Association building that around this same time half a dozen people raced way, with police officers surrounding them - but whether they were in the Civic building or an adjoining one I cannot say. Those leaving the building from the front were placed in a city bus with a throng of officers surrounding them. I imagine that this was due to the FBI negotiators.
Shortly after some hostages were released, which I believe were not harmed at the time, an individual was taken from the building in handcuffs. While this was not the best photogrpagh of the individual I can say that he appeared to be in the late 20's to 30's, medium build, very short hair or bald. He was wearing a white baseball cap. It was unclear if the man in handcuffs was of asian descent, but I believe so from my view. This may also be part of why I believe that interpeters of asian descent were used by police. Again I cannot fully confirm this, but I am lead to believe that at least one interpeter was Laotian.
During the event, there were many statements that there was up to 3 gunmen involved. I have since heard that a gunman killed himself. I have also heard it reported that the dead gunman was the lone attacker. Which makes me wonder who was handcuffed and removed quickly from the scene that I photographed.
Much is still very unclear at this time. I am hoping to recieve calls from a good samaritan that worked at the Civic Association and volunteered to provide translation services, as well as any local or state officials.
Until I can learn more I leave you with these photos from the scene. I apologized for the blur, but that is due to the rain and cold at the time.
As I learn more and can comfirm more I will provide those updates.
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