US Trainers Killed in Jordan Were State Department Contractors

Washington: Two American police trainers shot dead in Jordan were employees of a firm contracted by the State Department to train Palestinian forces, a spokesman said Monday.

State Department spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the two Americans were among "several people" killed in the incident and that two more US citizens were wounded.

The dead Americans were employed by Virginia-based security and logistics company DynCorp International, under contract to a US government training program.

"We can confirm that two US trainers were killed and two wounded in an incident today at the Jordan International Police Training Center," Kirby said.

"We understand that others were also killed and that additional individuals were wounded," he added.

"An investigation has begun and it is premature to speculate about motive at this point.

"We understand that several people were killed, but I'm reticent to give out a final number as the numbers have changed a little bit throughout the day."

Separately, a spokeswoman for DynCorp International, confirmed that had shooter at the JIPTC had opened fire on a group that included company employees.

"The company extends its thoughts and prayers to all involved and to their families and loved ones," she said, without confirming details of the incident.

Earlier, a Jordanian government spokesman has said that a Jordanian policeman had shot dead two US instructors, a South African and two fellow Jordanians.

Kirby could not confirm further details of the Jordanian and US investigation and warned the final death toll could rise if more victims succumb to their wounds.

The International Police Training Center in Jordan was set up to train Iraqi police, but has recently focused on building up Palestinian security forces.

Kirby said DynCorp's work at the Jordanian-owned facility was paid for and overseen by the US State Department.

"The training is predominantly arranged for Palestinian security forces, to teach them basic police and security skills. It's been in place since 2008," he said.

"These individuals -- the two that were killed -- were what we called 'monitors,' contracted through the State Department as trainer-monitors."