The 45-year-old local man identified later as Robert Stewart entered the facility at 10.00 local time (15.00 GMT), and started shooting at people, mostly elderly patients. Eight people were confirmed dead including a 98-year-old patient and a nurse, and three people injured. The gunman was later shot by police and arrested.

It is known that Stewart was not patient at the centre or an employee and has nothing to do with any of the victims.

Although police has not revealed the motive for the killings, the murderer’s ex-wife Sue Griffin said that Stewart had recently told relatives that he has cancer and is preparing for a long journey.

According to local authorities, Stewart will be charged with eight counts of first-degree murder.

This is the latest shooting in a wave of violence, which has been escalating in many small US towns recently.