One dead in Orlando office attack

Orlando police chief Val Demings speaks to reporters about the shooting

Police in the US city of Orlando say they have arrested a gunman who opened fire in an office building, killing one person and injuring five others.

Jason Rodriguez, a 40-year-old engineer who once worked in the building, surrendered to police at his mother's house, police chief Val Demings said.

The attack took place at the offices of an engineering firm at the Gateway Center building at 1130 (1630 GMT).

It comes one day after a gunman killed 13 people at an army base in Texas.

Workplace shooting

Officials said the five people who were wounded were in a stable condition in hospital.

Jason Rodriguez surrenders to police (Channel 13 News photo)

They all worked for the engineering firm Reynolds Smith & Hill, which had fired Mr Rodriguez in June 2007 for performance issues, a company spokesman said.

Police first received a call that shots were being fired at the office building shortly before noon on Friday.

Local television broadcasts showed a police helicopter hovering over the scene, as dozens of police cars blocked off streets and Swat teams searched the area.

Panicked office workers rushed out of the building, although reports said some had barricaded themselves inside.

Ms Demings said police arrested Mr Rodriguez about three hours later after receiving reports that he was at his mother's home.

"This is a tragedy no doubt about it, especially on the heels of the tragedy in Fort Hood that is on our minds," Ms Demings said.

"I'm just glad we don't have any more fatalities or any more injuries than we currently have."

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