A woman injured at least three people when she opened fire at YouTube's headquarters in San Bruno, California, on Tuesday, police said, before she was found dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, officials responded to numerous 911 calls from the YouTube campus, arriving at 12:48 p.m. as employees were fleeing the building, San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said at a news conference.
"Law enforcement and our security team worked to evacuate the buildings and prioritize the safety of everyone there," Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO, said in an email to employees.
Here is the note that @sundarpichai just sent to Googlers worldwide.
A source told BuzzFeed News a YouTube account believed to belong to Aghdam was terminated on Tuesday night.
YouTube shooting suspect Nasim Aghdam, who describes herself as a vegan artist, bodybuilder, and animal rights activist, often lashed out at the video platform for censoring and demonetizing her content https://t.co/AsQiCz3SHB
On the account, Aghdam describes herself as a vegan, artist, bodybuilder, and animal rights activist, posting multiple videos of herself dancing and singing, as well as vegan dishes and workout exercises.
In at least one video, she lashed out against YouTube, claiming the video platform was censoring her videos and placing filters on the content to prevent it from being seen by more viewers.
Multiple employees told BuzzFeed News that the shooting started in the courtyard outside the café.
David Jiang, who works for YouTube Music, told BuzzFeed News he saw a woman's body as he was fleeing his office on the second floor.
"I came out of the office and I saw a lady laying on the ground with two policemen standing by," he said. "I didn't see blood, but I think she was dead."
Other employees on social media described fleeing and barricading themselves into rooms.
Active shooter at YouTube HQ. Heard shots and saw people running while at my desk. Now barricaded inside a room with coworkers.
One employee posted a thread to Twitter about the terrifying experience, saying, "We were sitting in a meeting and then we heard people running because it was rumbling the floor. First thought was earthquake."
We were sitting in a meeting and then we heard people running because it was rumbling the floor. First thought was earthquake. https://t.co/gmolQmRXm1
"Every new person I saw was a potential shooter."
At that point every new person I saw was a potential shooter. Someone else said that the person shot out the back doors and then shot themselves.
"I looked down and saw blood drips on the floor and stairs."
I looked down and saw blood drips on the floor and stairs. Peaked around for threats and then we headed downstairs and out the front.
Another person who says she is an employee also tweeted about seeing blood drops as she was fleeing the building.
I got evacuated outside with my hands up. I’m with other people. I don’t think the shooter’s been found that I know of. I saw blood drops on the stairs I walk up everusay. I’m shaking. This is surreal. I hope my colleagues are okay.
A Carl's Jr. employee told ABC 7 that a woman came into the fast-food restaurant with a bullet wound in her leg.
"I came out of the bathroom and she was already in the dining room and people were taking care of her," Michael Finney said. "I was trying to find some tools to help her. I found a bungee cord and I tied that around her leg to stop the blood flow."
A few hundred people stood waiting in the parking lot outside after authorities patted down evacuees.
Photos taken by people who work nearby show people running out of the building, their hands raised, while being escorted by police.
About 1,700 people work at YouTube's large campus, located just outside of San Francisco.
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital spokesman Brent Andrew described the victims as a 36-year-old man in critical condition, a 32-year-old woman in serious condition, and a 27-year-old woman in fair condition.
Andre Campbell, a trauma surgeon at the hospital, confirmed that all three of the patients sustained gunshot wounds, and suggested that they did not appear to be from an assault rifle. He said that none of his patients had undergone surgery and were all lucid.
"This is unfortunate and it continues. You’d think after we’ve seen Las Vegas, Parkland, the Pulse nightclub shooting, that we would see an end to this, but we have not. This is a terrible day in the United States when once again we have a multiple-casualty situation," Campbell said. "We have a serious problem we need to address."
And while officials did not immediately release identities or delve into details for a possible motive, that didn't stop the internet from unleashing a flurry of fake news. In response, Twitter tweeted that it was monitoring the spread of misinformation.
We are also aware of attempts by some people to deceive others with misinformation around this tragedy. We are tracking this and are taking action on anything that violates our rules.
"Additionally, and as always, we will take action on content that intends to incite harm against a protected category or abuse others as outlined in our rules on hateful conduct and abusive behavior," the social media company continued.
President Trump said he had been briefed. And other elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, tweeted words of support and said they were closely monitoring the news.
Was just briefed on the shooting at YouTube’s HQ in San Bruno, California. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved. Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene.
Scott Pham contributed to this report.
CORRECTION
Aghdam was 38 at the time of the attack. This post previously quoted police saying she was 39.