HispanicBusiness

(Last Updated: 1:45 p.m. EST.)

A mass shooting in a 16-story office building in downtown Orlando has left at least two people dead and 17 others wounded -- and the gunman is still at large.

The shooting took place around noon, possibly in the upper levels of the building, according to media reports.

Police have identified the shooter as 40-year-old Jason Rodriguez, who they say is driving a silver 2002 Nissan SUV with a license plate reading D11UXR. Police say they believe the shooting has occurred in the offices of Reynolds, Smith & Hill, a transportation consulting firm, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Rodriguez is a former employee who was laid off about a year and a half ago as a result of cutbacks.

Company manager Renato Gonzalez told the Sentinel that Rodriguez made disparaging comments after getting pink-slipped.

"He took it a little worse than most people," Gonzalez said.

At least an hour after the shooting, office workers were still barricaded inside, watching the TV news for more information.

"We've got everybody in one office, with the door barricaded with a chest of drawers," one woman inside the building told the Orlando Sentinel at the time. "There are about 20 of us in here. We're scared."

Investigators have said they believe Rodriguez is wearing a blue Polo shirt, gray vest and blue jeans.

A woman has told a local TV station that the gunman is a former employee.

Among the many organizations located at the building is the Florida office of Disabled American Veterans.