Mourners pray for the victims of the mass shooting, on June 1, 2019, during a vigil in the parking lot of a shopping center inVirginia, Beach, Virginia. (AFP Photo)

WASHINGTON, May 31 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed and six hospitalized in a mass shooting on Friday in Virginia Beach, the United States, local police said in a press conference.

The shooter, a current employee, was also dead, Virginia Beach Police Chief Jim Cervera said.

The shooting happened on Friday afternoon at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center in Virginia, eastern United States.

"This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach," Mayor Bobby Dwyer said. "The people involved are our friends, coworkers, neighbors and colleagues."