Four dead after standoff at California veterans home

Four people are dead following an apparent hourslong standoff at the largest veterans home in the U.S. after a gunman entered a going-away party for an employee there.

California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs told reporters on Friday night that three women and the suspected gunman were found dead, CNN reported.

The three victims were described as employees of a counseling service for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

The suspect had exchanged gunfire with police on the grounds of The Veterans Home of California (VHC) at Yountville in Napa Valley before taking the three people hostage.

Police are aware of the gunman’s identity, but have not publicly released a name. They have also not offered a motive for the attack.

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A shootout had erupted between a sheriff’s deputy and the gunman, but the deputy was not injured.

“We are approaching this as an active-shooter situation,” Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said at a news conference, according to the AP. “There was an exchange of gunfire by both our deputy and the suspect. There were many bullets fired.”

VHC-Yountville said earlier Friday that law enforcement officials were responding to reports of shots fired, and that the facility had activated its “emergency response protocol.”

“Law enforcement is at the Yountville Veteran’s Home right now following reports of gunfire. The safety of our residents, workers and the community is our top priority,” the facility said in a Facebook post.

“We have activated our emergency response protocol and are cooperating with law enforcement. Further official information will be provided by law enforcement when it is confirmed.”

VHC-Yountville in the Napa Valley is home to about 1,100 aged or disabled veterans. According to the facility’s Facebook page, it is the largest veterans home in the country. 

Updated: 11:05 p.m.