Three dead, suspect caught in shootings at US Jewish sites

WASHINGTON - A gunman shot three people dead Sunday at a Jewish community centre and a retirement community in Kansas, drawing widespread condemnation and consternation on the eve of Passover.

The 70-year-old white male suspect, who is in custody, was not local and did not know the victims, Overland Park Police Department Chief John Douglass told reporters.

The bearded man used a shotgun in the assault and investigators, who are being assisted by the FBI, are trying to determine whether a handgun and assault rifle were involved.

The suspect was heard yelling "Heil Hitler" as police officers escorted him away at an elementary school, local NBC television affiliate KSHB reported. Douglass refused to confirm the report.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Kaste said investigators were looking into the incident as a "hate crime." "We haven't ruled out anything," Kaste added.

"I don't want to say the terrorism word; this is three hours into it. It's only wise and prudent we use every resource we have." Douglass refused to be drawn on whether the "unexpected" shooting was a hate crime, however.

"We know it's a vicious act of violence and you know, obviously, at two Jewish facilities one might make that assumption. We have to know more about it," the police chief said.

President Barack Obama condemned the "horrific" shooting, and pledged the federal government's "full support" in the investigation and to the community.

The initial reports are heartbreaking," he said in a statement offering his condolences to the families of the victims.

'Sad and tragic' day

The first shooting at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City took place around 1:00 pm (1800 GMT) as youths auditioned for a play.

Rabbi Herbert Mandl, who serves as chaplain for the Overland Park Police Department, told CNN that the suspect asked people whether they were Jewish before opening fire.

He killed two people there - one died on the spot and the other succumbed to injuries at a hospital.

The man then got in his car and headed to the Village Shalom assisted living centre, where he killed a woman in her 70s about 15 minutes after the first shooting.

In addition to the three people killed, the suspect shot at two other people but missed them.

"Today is a very sad and tragic day and certainly, there are no words to express the senselessness of what's happened this afternoon," Douglass said.

At the Jewish community centre, the shooting took place in a parking lot just outside a theatre where local media said 75 people, most of them children, were inside.

They had been auditioning for "KC Superstar," a local singing competition based on "American Idol." The Jewish centre said all programs were cancelled and it would be closed for the rest of the day Sunday and Monday.

It was earlier placed on temporary lockdown but programme participants were later released.

"Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered loss on this tragic day," the centre said on its website.

The Jewish holiday of Passover begins Monday.

Many anti-Jewish crimes in US

According to the FBI, nearly two thirds of anti-religious hate crimes in the United States target Jews or Jewish sites.

A total of 674 incidents took place in 2012 alone, bureau data showed.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a major US Muslim group, said it stood with the Jewish community after the killing spree.

"We are saddened by this vicious act of hatred," CAIR said.

"Americans of all faiths must join together to reject the kind of extremist ideologies that can lead to such inexcusable and unconscionable acts."