At least five killed by Jordanian police officer in training centre shooting

At least five people, including two Americans, two Jordanians and a South African, were killed after a Jordanian police officer opened fire at a US-backed police training facility near Amman, before being shot dead himself.

At least four other people, including two more Americans, were injured in the attack, according to US officials.

The attack took place at the Jordan International Police Training Center in al-Muwaqqar, on the outskirts of Amman.

Mohammed Momani, a Jordanian government spokesman, confirmed the deaths of the Americans and South African and said one of the two wounded Americans was in a serious condition. Jordanian officials said policemen on hand shot and killed the attacker during a shootout.

The two Jordanians who were killed include a translator and police officer, while the South African victim was a contractor. The Jordanian government said four of those injured – two Americans and two Jordanians – were receiving medical treatment near the training facility. Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited those injured in the shooting at the military King Hussein medical centre in west Amman.

The Jordanian and American governments gave contradictory accounts of the shooting, leaving some details of the attack unclear. Earlier on Monday, Reuters reported that three anonymous US government sources said eight people died in the attack, but Jordanian government officials quickly denied that report.

At a US State Department briefing on Monday afternoon, spokesman John Kirby refused to confirm how many people were killed during the attack on the training centre, or to even confirm remarks made by President Obama earlier Monday.

“I think the farthest I’m comfortable going right now is saying we understand several people were killed, but I’m reticent to give a whole number right now,” said Kirby.

“We’ve seen reports that the shooter may have been wearing a Jordanian uniform,” said Kirby, about a statement made by Obama earlier Monday. Kirby refused to confirm that detail, and said: “I won’t get ahead of the investigation.”