United States police respond to gun shooting at YouTube headquarters

USA

Police said on Tuesday they were responding to an “active shooter” at YouTube’s headquarters near San Francisco, as witnesses described seeing blood on the floor and stairs and casualties were reported.

Police in San Bruno warned people in a Twitter message to stay away from the address where YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc’s Google, is based.

“We are responding to an active shooter. Please stay away from Cherry Ave & Bay Hill Drive,” San Bruno police said on Twitter.

We are responding to an active shooter. Please stay away from Cherry Ave & Bay Hill Drive.

— San Bruno Police (@SanBrunoPolice) April 3, 2018

Local media reported that casualties were taken to a San Francisco hospital.

A YouTube product manager, Todd Sherman, described on his Twitter feed hearing people running, first thinking it was an earthquake before he was told that a person had a gun.

“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,” Sherman said.

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.

— Todd Sherman (@tdd) April 3, 2018

A police dispatcher said by telephone that it was an “active situation,” declining to elaborate.

Google told NBC news in a written statement and also tweeted that it was coordinating with local authorities.

Re: YouTube situation, we are coordinating with authorities and will provide official information here from Google and YouTube as it becomes available.

— Google Communications (@Google_Comms) April 3, 2018

Local television images showed YouTube employees walking out of the building with their hands raised.

Some employees took to social media to share news of their safety.