Twelve people were killed and at least four more were injured after a civil servant opened fire at a government complex in Virginia Beach on Friday.
Police placed the area surrounding the Virginia Beach Municipal Centre on lockdown.
In a statement, Virginia Beach police chief James Cervera said that reports of gunfire began shortly after 16:00 local time (20:00 GMT).
A long-serving and current employee entered the public utilities building and began to fire “indiscriminately”, added Cervera
The shooter, who remains unidentified, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. They believe the gunman acted alone.
Officials said an officer was wounded in what they termed a “long gun battle”.
The identities of the 12 people killed have not been released by authorities so far.