At least 4 killed, 2 wounded in US shootings

NEW YORK - Four people have been killed and at least two others wounded Wednesday morning in two separate shootings in Herkimer County, New York State. Police have just issued the identify of the suspect.

Two unidentified people were shot and killed Wednesday morning at a car wash in the village of Herkimer and two others were killed in a barber shop a mile away in the village of Mohawk, state police was quoted by local media as saying.

The suspect was identified as 64-year-old Kurt Myers from Mohawk. He has white hair and beard, was carrying a long gun for the attacks and driving a red Jeep Cherokee. He is believed to be on the loose in Herkimer, but the police have refused to comment on a possible motive.

Herkimer County Community College and local schools are on lockdown. The college sent an automated cellphone alert after the shooting, informing students and staff of an "active shooter" in the area. A following alert advised people to remain inside buildings until further notice.

Local media reported that firefighters responded to a fire at an apartment building that is believed to be connected to the shooting. Police were also seen removing about six long guns from the building, but it is unclear if the guns belonged to the suspect.

Villages of Herkimer are two miles away from Ilion, where a two- century-old Remington Arms gun plant is a major employer.  

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo in January signed the New York Safe Act after the Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, which was seen as the toughest gun control law in the country and the first since the Newtown school shooting.

Cuomo and State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico will be holding a press conference to discuss the shootings on Wednesday afternoon.