Shooting at California veterans’ home kills four, including attacker

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SAN FRANCISCO: Four people, including the attacker, have been killed during a hostages situation at a veterans’ home in the town of Yountville close to San Francisco, California on Friday.

Three women, who are reported to be employees of The Pathway Home, a counselling service for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), were found dead on Friday night. The gunman had been a client of the facility but left two weeks ago.

The identity of the gunman, who was also found dead, has not yet been released and it is not clear if he knew any of the victims. Hostage negotiators tried to contact the attacker but failed to do so. Early reports suggest the gunman also exchanged fire with police officers.

 The shooting “tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans,” said California Governor Jerry Brown in a statement.

“Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville,” he added.

The Pathway Home houses more than 1000 US military veterans who served in conflicts including World War two,  the Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom.