Locals gathered outside of one of the U.S.'s bases in southern Afghanistan the morning after sixteen civilians were reportedly killed by a soldier on a shooting spree.

Villagers from the Taliban stronghold of Panch-wah-yee say a soldier burst into their homes around 2 am and opened fire. On Sunday, one man waited several hundred yards from the base with the bodies of family members he says were killed in the attack. There are reports that victims included

SOUNDBITE: Acting U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan James B Cunningham saying:"

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and their entire community. U.S. Forces are providing the highest level of care for those injured. We are still attempting to ascertain the facts. The incident is under investigation and a United States service member has been detained. We deplore any attack by a member of the U.S. Armed Forces against innocent civilians, and denounce all violence against civilians. We assure the people of Afghanistan that the individual or individuals responsible for this terrible act will be identified and brought to justice."

It isn't yet clear whether children were among the victims or whether more than one service member was involved. Locals have offered differing accounts.

The shootings, just 22 miles from Kandahar city are more bad news for U.S.- Afghan relations which are already strained over the burning of Korans by service mebers and the violence that followed.

Deborah Gembara, Reuters