Seven killed in US shooting

Police apprehended the alleged gunman in the lobby of the office complex

A man is to be charged with the killing of seven people at a company headquarters in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

The shooting occurred at midday (1700 GMT) on Tuesday at the corporate headquarters of Edgewater Technology, an internet consulting firm.

The scene outside the office complex where the shooting occurred

Police entered the building and found Michael McDermott, 42, armed with an AK-47, a shotgun and a handgun sitting in the lobby.

According to Assistant District Attorney John McEvoy, police wrestled Mr McDermott to the ground and placed him in custody.

Mr McDermott is understood to be a current employee of the company and has worked there since last March.

'Work-place related'

"Obviously, it's very early in terms of motive. I'm comfortable at this point in saying that it's workplace-related, but I'm not going to go into any more details until we are sure," said Mr McEvoy.

Police arriving at the scene searched the building believing that there might have been a second gunman inside.

Witnesses reported panic-stricken employees running from the building as police arrived.

"I was shocked... it was such a quiet area and I know that was a professional building. I was very very surprised," said one eyewitness Tammy McManus.

BBC Washington correspondent Stephen Sackur says workplace shootings have become depressingly familiar in America.