Death toll in Jordan police shooting 'reaches eight'

The death toll in a shooting at a regional police training centre in Jordan has risen to eight, according to reports.

Jordanian officials said four people, including two Americans, were killed when a local officer opened fire on foreign trainers, but a US official later said the toll had reportedly reached eight.

The officer was shot and killed by troops, according to Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani.

The US is taking the attack in Amman “very seriously”, President Barack Obama said.

Mr Obama sent his condolences to the families of the victims, adding that the US will be working with Jordan to conduct a full investigation.

A South African and a Jordanian were also among those who were shot dead.

Authorities are investigating whether the motive for the shooting was personal or political, he added.

A military official said the attacker was a police captain who worked as a trainer at the facility. He was married and had two children.

A US official said the Americans who were killed and wounded were part of a State Department police training programme. He said all were civilians, but declined to identify them.

Mr Momani said the Jordanian killed in the attack was a civilian employee at the centre.

Jordan government official says 2 Americans, 1 South African killed in police compound shooting: https://t.co/nBL1MR1UQ8

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 9, 2015