The shootings occurred in Brookline at the Planned Parenthood clinic and the Preterm Health Services clinic a short distance away.
Local radio stations quoted eyewitnesses as saying a man walked into the Planned Parenthood clinic and opened fire, killing one woman instantly and wounding at least three others.
"He drops the duffel bag, pulls out a rifle, a hunting rifle. Big," one eyewitness said. "She is now about two yards away, he hits her ... The girl near the photo machine is six yards from him, bang, bang, I heard five shots," he told WCVB television.
The witness then alerted a security guard, who was also shot by the gunman, he said.
CBS News Radio said the dead woman was a Planned Parenthood staffer, and reported at least four wounded at the clinic.
The gunman then ran up the street to the Preterm clinic where he continued his shooting spree.
The killings in Brookline bring to five the incidents of deadly violence at abortion clinics in the United States. Three people were killed at shootings at Florida abortion clinics.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.