San Bernardino shooting: 14 killed in California; 2 suspects including a woman dead, third held

A suspect in the mass shooting that killed at least 14 people in California on Wednesday is "down" following a shootout, police said.

Police officers, firemen secure the area after a shooting incident in San Bernardino, California

Los Angeles: At least 14 people were killed and 17 others were wounded on late Wednesday night in a case of mass shooting at a health facility in San Bernardino, an hour from San Francisco in California.

As many as three gunmen believed to be wearing military-style gear opened fire at a Southern California social services centre here. 

As an intense manhunt for these suspects ensued, San Bernardino police confirmed that male and a female suspects are dead, while the third has been detained. 

"I know there is an active scene, there were shots fired and two suspects are down," Sergeant Vicki Cervantes of San Bernardino Police told reporters.

A body could be seen near a bullet-riddled SUV, with dozens of police vehicles swarming around, according to live television footage. 

According to TV reports, law enforcement authorities confirmed the three deaths, and a reporter for the local NBC affiliate said he saw three bodies following the shooting rampage.  

Please help Law Enforcement and stay clear of the area — San Bernardino PD (@SanBernardinoPD) December 2, 2015

The San Bernardino Police Department said on Twitter that it had "confirmed 1 to 3 possible suspects" and multiple victims in the shooting. The agency called it an "active shooter" incident. 

In another tweet the San Bernardino Fire Department said that it was responding to reports of 20 victims. San Bernardino is some 60 miles (100 km) east of Los Angeles. 

SBFD units responding to reports of 20 victim shooting incident in 1300 block of S. Waterman. SBPD is working to clear the scene. — San Bernardino Fire (@SBCityFire) December 2, 2015

While the authorities did not rule out terrorism -- possibly “domestic terrorism”, the identity and motive of the shooters are still under investigation.

There were several hundred people inside the building when the shooting happened and most of them walked out unhurt.

The president and CEO of the Southern California social services center where gunfire has erupted said that the focus is on a building that houses at least 25 employees as well as a library and conference center.

The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, CNN quoted cops as saying. 

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama was briefed about the shooting by Homeland Securities officials and he called for a bipartisan effort "at every level of government" to address mass shooting problems, local media reported.

Reacting over the incident, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton said, “I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now.”

I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now. -H https://t.co/SkKglwQycb — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 2, 2015

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump also took to Twitter and wrote: “California shooting looks very bad. Good luck to law enforcement and God bless. This is when our police are so appreciated!”

California shooting looks very bad. Good luck to law enforcement and God bless. This is when our police are so appreciated! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2015

The shooting comes just days after a lone gunman killed three people during a standoff at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado.