A 20-year-old who gunned down several people at a community college in the US state of Oregon Thursday has been confirmed dead after a shoot-out with police, officials said.
Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin told a news conference that officers headed to Umpqua Community College in Roseburg following reports of an active shooter in a classroom.
“Upon arriving there they located the shooter in one of the buildings. Officers engaged that suspect. There was an exchange of gunfire.
“The shooter threat was neutralized,” Hanlin said, later confirming: “The shooter is deceased.”
Governor Kate Brown said the gunman was a 20-year-old male. It was not yet known if he was a student at the college, according to Hanlin.
No official toll was released for the shooting.
“There are confirmed injuries and there are confirmed fatalities,” Hanlin said.
“At this point it is a very active scene. It’s a very active investigation,” he said.
“I’ve heard varying numbers and I don’t want to report on a number that is inaccurate.”
Local media have quoted Oregon State Police Lieutenant Bill Fugate as saying between seven and 10 people were killed and at least 20 injured.
Another media briefing has been scheduled for 2200 GMT.