2 Americans Shot Dead by Jordanian Police Officer

By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter Monday, November 09, 2015

General view of King Abdullah bin Al Hussein Training Center where a Jordanian officer went on a shooting spree on Monday in Mwaqar near Amman, Jordan, November 9, 2015. Two American military personnel and one South African were killed when a Jordanian officer went on a shooting spree on Monday at a U.S.-funded security training facility near Amman, Jordan's government spokesman said. Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs, Mohammad Momani told Reuters the attacker also wounded six people, including two Americans, one of whom was in critical condition, before being shot dead shot by Jordanian security forces. The gunman did not commit suicide as security sources earlier said. | (Photo: Reuters/Muhammad Hamed)

A former Jordanian police officer has reportedly opened fire and killed two American citizens, along with one South African, at the outskirts of the Jordanian capital, Amman, at the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center.

CBS News reported on Monday morning that the suspect was a 29-year-old police captain, who was also killed during the attack.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani said that the three victims were trainers at the police center, while six other people were also injured during the attack.

Momani revealed that two of the wounded are also Americans, with one of them listed in "serious condition," but added no further details.

A U.S. official who wasn't named speculated that the gunman was disgruntled for having been fired recently.

The official Twitter account of the U.S. embassy in Jordan wrote: "We are in contact with the appropriate Jordanian authorities, who have offered their full support. We will report more info when available."

BBC News noted that Jordan has been a strong U.S. ally in the war against terrorism in Iraq and Syria, and has been carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State terror group in the region.

It said that it is possible some will assume "that the killings were intended as an act of solidarity with militant groups in the Middle East," but noted that more information will be needed.

King Abdullah II vowed "relentless war" against IS back in February in retaliation for the murder of Jordanian fighter pilot who was captured and burned alive.

"We are waging this war to protect our faith, our values and human principles and our war for their sake will be relentless and will hit them in their own ground," the Jordanian leader said at the time, promising that his country will do everything possible to defeat the Islamic extremists.

The Washington Post added that it is unclear if the shooting also has any connection with the 10 year anniversary of the Nov. 9, 2005, bombings of three hotels in Amman by terror group al-Qaeda, which left 60 people dead and at least 100 injured.

The police training center is reportedly funded by the U.S., and trains officers who go on to serve in Iraq, Libya and the Palestinian areas of the West Bank.