STORY: Officers shot the attacker after he refused to lay down his weapon and approached them with a large knife. He was arrested and taken to hospital. Police said the attack occurred just before 11 a.m. local time.

Shortly after the attack, a number of people looking distressed could be seen standing outside the center amid a heavy police presence and were later taken inside. Police officers wearing white crime scene investigation suits also entered the building.

“All investigations will be carried out in coordination with the public prosecutor's office in order to determine the causes and the terms under which this act, which we vehemently reject, was carried out,” Home Affairs Minister Jose Luis Carneiro told reporters at a news conference.