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A gunman wearing body armour and armed with an assault rifle shot three women dead at a veterans' home before turning the weapon on himself.
The suspect, reportedly an Iraqi veteran suffering PTSD, stormed the facility in Yountville at around 10.40am on Friday, firing up to 20 shots then taking staff as hostages.
Police had been in negotiations with the disturbed man ever since but last night confirmed the siege ended in tragedy.
Three women, employees of The Pathway Home, a counseling service for veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, were killed before the suspect turned the gun on himself.
Armored cop cars, ambulances, three police helicopters and fire engines were all seen outside as police confirmed they believed they were dealing with an "active shooter" on Friday morning.
Witnesses reported a man in a bulletproof vest storming the centre.
There was an exchange of gunfire with police who responded before the suspect took hostages.