SEATTLE -- One person was killed and at least five others were shot during a rampage at the Jewish Federation in downtown Seattle Friday afternoon, police said. The shooting may have been politically motivated.

Police and emergency personnel outside the building where a gunman opened fire.

The suspect was taken into custody by Seattle police, who entered the building with guns drawn as pandemonium erupted. An officer riding a bicycle arrested him.

He was described as a Pakistani man in his 30s and has a criminal history, police said.

According to the Seattle Times, a man got through security at the Jewish Federation and told staff members, "I'm a Muslim American; I'm angry at Israel," then began shooting, according to Amy Wasser-Simpson, the vice president for planning and community services for the Jewish Federation.

The scene outside the Jewish Federation in Seattle.

"A number of staff people heard some popping sounds, then they heard a scream. They escaped out the back door," Wasser-Simpson said. She said one staff member was shot twice.

A joint terrorism task force moved in to the federation building and SWAT teams and a bomb disposal unit were at the scene. The building was still being searched and a suspect vehicle was believed to be in a nearby garage at 1930 Third Ave.

Police cordoned off part of the garage and have not allowed owners to retrieve their cars. Officers secured all the roofs around the building while the suspect was being questioned.

Authorities don’t know how the suspect got into the building, which is said to be one of the tightest security buildings in Seattle. The incident began around 4 p.m. Part of Third Avenue and Second Avenue near Lenora and Stewart have been closed to traffic.

Police urged people to stay away from the area. At least three people were seen emerging from the two-story building, escorted by police. It's not known whether they were hostages.

One witness said the shooter shot a woman as she was walking into the building. Another witness said she saw a woman sitting down, bleeding, outside the building. Several witnesses said they saw a man walk up to the entrance of the building and shoot a woman in the leg. The man then walked into the building and made it up to the roof.

Witnesses said they heard one shot while the man was on the roof. The man then went back inside and witnesses said they heard several more shots. One wounded victim was initially unable to get to an ambulance because the situation was apparently too dangerous.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle says on its Web site that its mission is to "ensure Jewish survival and enhance the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and worldwide."

Last Sunday at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, thousands of people rallied in support of Israel's right to defend itself. More than 40 community organizations stepped forward to sponsor and support the event.