Jordan policeman fired at a training centre killing 5 trainers

A policeman has opened fire at a police training centre in Jordan, killing two Americans, a South African and two Jordanians, according to officials.

The Jordanian embassy in Washington said the Jordanian assailant also wounded two Americans and two Jordanians, before being shot dead.

President Barack Obama said the US was taking the attack “very seriously”.

The US-funded Jordan International Police Training Centre (JIPTC) hosts mainly Palestinian and Iraqi officers.

Civilian contractors from the US and elsewhere assist Jordanian police trainers at the facility in Muwaqqar, on the eastern outskirts of Amman.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani told the Associated Press that an investigation had been launched into whether the motive for Monday’s shooting attack at the JIPTC was personal or political.

The assailant was a senior trainer with the rank of captain, a Jordanian security source was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The US embassy in Amman confirmed that two US government employees were killed and two wounded in the incident.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all of the victims. The investigation is ongoing and it is premature to speculate on motive at this point,” a statement said. “We are working closely with the government of Jordan and local security services on a full and comprehensive investigation.”

“We strongly condemn this incident and we deeply appreciate the co-operation and support received from our Jordanian partners.”

The incident comes on the 10th anniversary of bombing attacks by al-Qaeda in Iraq on three hotels in Amman which killed more than 50 people.