Police and family members in San Bernardino, California talk about what they know in the immediate aftermath of an active shooter scenario.

California police say 14 people are dead and up to 17 people injured at a shooting in San Bernardino at a facility for people with developmental disabilities.

Up to three gunmen have been linked to the shooting after a black sport utility vehicle fled the scene. Police surrounded a car after a chase and shots were fired. Two of the suspects have been killed, one man and one woman. Another person who ran from the vehicle has been detained.

One police officer was wounded in the confrontation and is being treated in hospital.

REUTERS Heavily-armed police in Southern California respond to the scene of an active shooter in San Bernardino where early reports say 20 people may have been shot.

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"Somehow during that contact shots were exchanged between the suspects and the officers. One officer was injured," a spokeswoman told reporters.

"However he was transported to a local hospital and it does not appear to be a life threatening injury."

A map of the area.

HEAVILY ARMED

A police spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times that the suspects were heavily armed and possibly wearing body armor, and CBS reported that a bomb squad was on the scene, trying to defuse what was believed to be an explosive device.

The shooting occurred at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities.

1 of 15 REUTERS Rescue crews tend to the injured following a shooting incident in the intersection outside the Inland Regional Centre in San Bernardino, California. 2 of 15 MARIO ANZUONI/REUTERS A spent cartrdige lies on the ground as police officers secure the area after at least one person opened fire at a social services agency in San Bernardino, California. 3 of 15 MARIO ANZUONI Police officers secure the area after at least one person opened fire at a social services agency in San Bernardino, California. 4 of 15 REUTERS A still image from a video footage courtesy of Nbcla.com shows first responders responding to a shooting in San Bernardino, California. 5 of 15 HANDOUT A still image from a video footage courtesy of Nbcla.com shows first responders transporting an injured person at a shooting in San Bernardino, California. 6 of 15 HANDOUT A still image from a video footage courtesy of Nbcla.com shows first responders transporting an injured person at a shooting in San Bernardino, California. 7 of 15 REUTERS Rescue crews tend to the injured in the intersection outside the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. 8 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities. 9 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities. 10 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities. 11 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities. 12 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities. 13 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities. 14 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities. 15 of 15 REUTERS Emergency services are responding to reports of an active shooter at the Inland Regional Centre, a facility for people with developmental disabilities.

Triage units were being set up in the area, and some people were seen being wheeled away on gurneys. Others walked quickly as they were led away by authorities.

Terry Petit says he got a text from his daughter saying she was hiding after gunfire erupted at the social services facility in Southern California where she works.

Petit choked back tears as he read the texts for reporters.

REUTERS Police say at least 20 people are reported wounded in a shooting in San Bernardino, California.

He says she wrote: "People shot. In the office waiting for cops. Pray for us. I am locked in an office."

LOCKED IN

A local San Bernadino man whose wife works at the centre told CNN "the guy came in next to her office and started shooting".

NBCLA There are reports of multiple victims.

"They locked themselves in her office, they seen bodies on the floor.

"She said right now ambulances are taking people out on stretchers. She was able to get out but there's still people inside. She's okay."

The unnamed man said his wife "works with kids with disabilities" and that the shooting took place in a "pretty big building." He estimated there were likely to be "a couple hundred" people inside.

The president and CEO of the Southern California social services centre where gunfire has erupted says the focus is on a building that houses at least 25 employees as well as a library and conference centre.

Marybeth Feild of the Inland Regional Centre says "the incident is in the conference area" that an outside group was renting. She says she is not at the Centre, which serves people with developmental disabilities and does not know what outside group rented the Centre..