by MOUFAQ KHATIB, JIM MIKLASZEWSKI and ALEXANDER SMITH with NBC – AMMAN, Jordan — Two American contractors and a South African colleague were gunned down Monday at a U.S.-funded police training center in Jordan, according to officials.
Government spokesman Mohammad Momani told NBC News that two Americans and four Jordanians also were wounded in the attack, which took place in the cafeteria of the facility southeast of Amman. The attacker — a Jordanian police officer — also died, Momani added.
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Momani said that an investigation was underway into the gunman's motives; U.S. defense officials told NBC News that the attacker was a disgruntled former cop who'd recently been fired.
The State Department said it had received reports about a "security incident" at the Jordan International Police Training Center.
"We are in contact with the appropriate Jordanian authorities, who have offered their full support," spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
The U.S. embassy in Jordan urged American citizens to avoid the area around the facility, which was established as a center to train Iraqi police.
Jordan — a key U.S. ally — is participating in the American-led coalition fighting to defeat ISIS. The kingdom has deployed troops, launched airstrikes on ISIS targets and also hosts F-16 fighter jets in the area to strike the terror group.
Monday's attack coincided with the 10th anniversary of suicide bombings targeting luxury hotels in Jordan's capital.