City Councilwoman Barbara Henley told local media she had just pulled into the City Hall car park when someone told her she should leave as there was a shooter. She had just got back in her car when she heard a shout: "get down".

People scattered, and Henley drove off. "I was scared to death," Henley said.

Public Works spokesman Drew Lankford, who works in the Operations building where the shooting happened, said he had left the office to get a haircut. While he was gone, his daughter called and said there had been a shooter in his building.

A police officer directs traffic away from the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Nimmo Parkway. Photo / AP
A police officer directs traffic away from the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Nimmo Parkway. Photo / AP

His daughter, who works in the City Hall building alongside, said security told everyone to get under their desks. He rushed back to the office and saw police hiding behind parked cars with their guns drawn.

Virginia Beach police said the incident was in building 2 at the centre off Nimmo Parkway and Courthouse Drive. The building houses public utilities offices and a permits facility.

The centre is next to both the Virginia Police Department headquarters and the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office, as well as several other government buildings.

An ambulance at the scene. Photo / AP
An ambulance at the scene. Photo / AP

The FBI is responding to assist in securing the scene, as they have jurisdiction over offences committed against government authorities.