At least five people have been killed at a Florida bank and the suspect is in custody, authorities said.

The 21-year-old suspect, identified as Zephen Xaver, walked into the SunTrust Bank in Sebring, south Florida, just after 12.30pm local time, and began shooting, the Sebring police chief, Karl Hoglund, said at a news conference.

A brief hostage-type situation arose after Xaver called police himself and said he had fired shots inside the bank, according to authorities.

Law enforcement officials surround the premises. Photograph: AP

After negotiators failed to convince the suspect to leave the bank, the Highlands county sheriff’s office swat team entered the building and continued to talk to the gunman, police said. He eventually surrendered.

“Today has been a tragic day in our community,” Hoglund said. “We’ve suffered significant loss at the hands of a senseless criminal doing a senseless crime.”

No details about the victims have been released. It was not clear whether other people in the bank were injured.

Florida’s newly inaugurated state governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said he has asked the state’s department of law enforcement to assist local police officials in the investigation.

“Obviously, this is an individual who needs to face very swift and exacting justice,” DeSantis said of the gunman.

A spokeswoman for the bank, Sue Mallino, said, “We are working closely with officials and seeking to take care of everyone affected at our Sebring, Florida branch.”