A gunman described as a “disgruntled employee” shot and killed a person and wounded another at a restaurant in Charleston, S.C., officials say.
CNN reports that several hostages were safely released.
“This is not an act of terrorism,” Mayor John Tecklenburg said to a group of reporters. “This is not a hate crime. It’s a disgruntled employee who has come on the scene of his employment.”
The shooting took place shortly before noon, officials say. Several hostages were inside. The hostage situation ended around 3:30 p.m., the mayor and police said.
Police asked people to avoid the area near Virginia’s on King until the situation at the downtown establishment was contained.
One of the shooting victims was a chef and the gunman was a former dishwasher, a representative of the restaurant said.
The suspect was reportedly shot by police and transported to a hospital. All hostages are now free and safe.
