Nine killed in college shooting in Oregon

• 27 minutes ago
 
• US & Canada

AP

Nine people have been killed and seven injured in a shooting at a college in the US state of Oregon, say police.

The gunman, 26, opened fire at Umpqua Community College on Thursday morning and was killed in in a police shootout.

There were conflicting reports on casualties but Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said 10 dead, including the gunman, was "the best" figure.

Police have not officially named the attacker but US media are reporting that his name is Chris Harper Mercer.

His motive is not known, although police said they were investigating reports that he had warned of his intentions on social media.

Hours after the attack, a visibly frustrated President Barack Obama demanded tighter gun laws, saying prayers are "no longer enough".

Such shootings - and his own response - had become routine, he said, barely concealing his exasperation.

"We are not the only country on Earth that has people with mental illnesses or want to do harm to other people.

"But we are the only advanced country on Earth that sees these mass shootings every few months."

Referring to a BBC interview in which he talked about this, he said countries like the UK and Australia showed that effective legislation was possible.