YOUNTVILLE (KRON) – The Veterans Home of California Yountville is on lockdown Friday after a gunman took 3 people hostage.

At around 10:20 a.m., officers received reports of shots fired at the facility located at  260 California Drive. 

A deputy arrived at the scene four minutes later and exchanged gunfire with the suspect. 

The gunman then took three people hostage inside of a room.

 Hostage negotiators are at the scene but have not yet made contact with the suspect. 

Authorities know the identity of the gunman but did not release the name.

According to the Napa County Register, the suspect is believed to be a 36-year-old man who was a member of The Pathway Home, a privately run program for military veterans with emotional trauma.

Shots were exchanged between the gunman and a deputy. It’s unclear how many shots were fired. 

This is the largest veterans home in the United States, housing about 1,100 men and women.

A man whose wife is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Pathway Home says a gunman quietly came into a going-away party and staff meeting at the veterans home and let some leave, while keeping others hostage.

She was at the party Friday morning of 10 to 15 people at the Yountville veterans home. Pathway Home’s program treats veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Kamer says his wife is now inside the home’s dining hall and is not allowed to leave. He spoke to her by phone.

Vintners Golf Club, a popular golf course nearby, has shut down the property in response to this situation. Anyone on the property is advised to shelter in place.

It’s unknown if anyone has been injured at this time. 

Several law enforcement agencies are responding to the scene, including CHP SWAT and ATF San Francisco. 

Queen of The Valley Medical Center, a level 3 Trauma Center, is on standby at the hospital prepared to go to the Veterans Home if needed. 

Here is a statement tweeted by the California Department of Veteran Affairs: 

Law enforcement is at the Yountville Veteran’s Home right now following reports of gunfire. The safety of our residents, workers and the community is our top priority.

We have activated our emergency response protocol and are cooperating with law enforcement. Further official information will be provided by law enforcement when it is confirmed.

CHP Headquarters, who is sending a SWAT team to the scene, tweeted the following: 

The CHP is aware of the incident at the Yountville Veterans Home and has officers and aerial resources on scene working with Napa County Sheriff’s deputies and others to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. A CHP SWAT team is also enroute. More details as info is available.

No further details are available at this time.

Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area.

Stay with KRON4 for updates on this developing, breaking news story.

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