Ten people died and seven were injured on Thursday in a shooting on an American college campus in Roseburg, Oregon. Police have identified Chris Harper Mercer as the person responsible for the killings.
Law enforcement was called to Umpqua Community College shortly after 10.30am local time. Emergency told students to "stay away from the area." Roads around the campus, where 3,000 full-time students study, were cordoned off while the gunman was at large.
People gather at a road block near the entrance to the college
It was later confirmed by state officials that a 20-year-old male shooter had died after an exchange of gunfire in a campus building. Sheriff John Handlin said: "Today in southern Oregon is not a good afternoon. It's been a terrible day."
"This is a small community," he added. "A lot of our friends and family attend this college. I personally know a number people I work with that had very strong concerns about the welfare for loved ones going to school there. This is a small community. A lot of our friends and family attend this college. I personally know a number of people I work with that had very strong concerns about the welfare for loved ones going to school there."
Jessica Vazquez, left, hugs her aunt Leticia Acaraz as they await word on Acaraz's daughter at the local fairgrounds after the shooting
Oregon Governor Kate Brown revealed the age of a shooter in a press conference. According to the New York Times, the gunman ordered students onto the ground and asked them to identify their religion before shooting.
Earlier, Douglas County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook that the emergency services received a call at about 10.38am local time (6.38pm BST) following reports of a shooting. Douglas County Fire District tweeted that there were "multiple casualties".
It was reported that some time after midday students had their mobile phones taken away from them as they were escorted out of the college building one at a time and searched by officials. Students were transported away from the premises and taken to Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Umpqua Community College is 168 miles south of Portland and has about 3,000 students. Its website was down Thursday.
Umpqua Community College, in Oregon
"We locked our door, and I went out to lock up the restrooms and could hear four shots from the front of campus," UCC Foundation Executive Director Dennis O'Neill told the News-Review.
Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg reported that it had received nine patients from the shooting, with more on the way.
The White House said President Barack Obama was briefed on the situation by his Homeland Security Adviser Lisa Monaco, the Associated Press reports.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, the incident is the 45th shooting at a school so far this year.