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Oregon community college shooter dead: Sheriff

Police search students outside Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, following a deadly shooting at the college. (AP photo)

US officials say a 20-year-old gunman who has shot dead several people at a community college in the state of Oregon has been killed after a shoot-out with police.

As many as 10 people were killed and 7 injured in a shooting at the Umpqua Community College on Thursday morning. Earlier reports had put the number of people hurt much higher.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin told reporters that police officers rushed 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,” he said.

"The shooter threat was neutralized," Hanlin said, later confirming: "The shooter is deceased."

According to Oregon Governor Kate Brown, the suspect was a 20-year-old male.

Hanlin said that it was not yet clear if the gunman was a student at the college.

"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."

Earlier, the White House called on Congress to pass tougher laws to help prevent gun violence in the country in the wake of the deadly shooting.

“The issue of sensible steps that can be taken to protect our communities from gun violence continues to be a top priority of this administration,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Thursday.


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