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Nine killed in college shooting in Oregon | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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 identified the attacker but unnamed officers have told US media 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. | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. |
Lorie Andrews, who lives opposite the campus, said she heard what sounded like fireworks and when she came out of her home she saw students streaming out. | Lorie Andrews, who lives opposite the campus, said she heard what sounded like fireworks and when she came out of her home she saw students streaming out. |
"One girl came out wrapped in a blanket with blood on her," she said. | "One girl came out wrapped in a blanket with blood on her," she said. |
Hannah Miles, 19, said that after hearing gunshots, she and fellow students were locked in a classroom when they heard footsteps. | Hannah Miles, 19, said that after hearing gunshots, she and fellow students were locked in a classroom when they heard footsteps. |
A man's voice could be heard from outside the door: "Come on out, come on out." They ignored it and police eventually rescued them, she said. | A man's voice could be heard from outside the door: "Come on out, come on out." They ignored it and police eventually rescued them, she said. |
The 3,000-student school is located in Roseburg, Oregon, a rural area about 175 miles (280 km) south of Portland. | The 3,000-student school is located in Roseburg, Oregon, a rural area about 175 miles (280 km) south of Portland. |
In audio from police radio channels an officer can be heard saying the suspect was down and that there were "multiple gunshot wounds" and calling for multiple ambulances to the scene. | In audio from police radio channels an officer can be heard saying the suspect was down and that there were "multiple gunshot wounds" and calling for multiple ambulances to the scene. |
The suspect supposedly used a "long gun". | The suspect supposedly used a "long gun". |
Students were transported by bus to a local fairground to be reunited with their loved ones. | Students were transported by bus to a local fairground to be reunited with their loved ones. |
According to Umpqua Community College's website, the average age of students is about 38. | According to Umpqua Community College's website, the average age of students is about 38. |
Are you in the area? If you are willing to share your story, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. If you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist, please include contact details. | Are you in the area? If you are willing to share your story, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. If you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist, please include contact details. |
Or comment here: | Or comment here: |