New York Governor David Paterson has confirmed that "12 or 13" people were killed at an immigrant services centre in Binghamton today, as a gunman stormed the building and took dozens of people hostage.

Local residents have turned to Twitter to provide updates and seek consolation as the situation unfolds.

Here's what they're saying:

@jjstette: Graduated BHS in '00, hoping my old friends their family still in #binghamton are O.K.

@sa_cosme: P&SB confirm gunman dead, surrounding buildings taken off lockdown

@sa_cosme: #Binghamton things seem to be calming down, some places reporting gunman dead

@chillgordon: Crisis hotline for those affected by shooting: 607-778-3911 #Binghamton

@FrederiekPascal: The situation is still ongoing, SWAT teams have surrounded the building. No official report on the casualties yet. #binghamton

@sa_cosme: #Binghamton a bunch of college students are on the street outside shouting "Wooooo!" at each other?

@MichaelaGrammer: I work two blocks from where the hostage situation/massacre happened in #Binghamton. My head is still spinning from the sirens.

@hardlynormal: 13 dead in my home town i met Eddie who's story is on http://invisiblepeople.tv last week in #binghamton

@sajego: My dad's cousin (my godmother) works at the American Civic Center in #Binghamton teaching ESL. Very likely she was there this morning.

You can follow the conversation on Twitter by searching #bingamton.

A Binghamton resident snapped a photo at the scene. You can view it here, on CNN's iReport.

Are you in the area? Send your reports to CBC News.