US Shooting: University of California on lockdown after shooting on campus

Lockdown: Police respond to a report of a possible shooter at the University of California, Los Angeles
KABC-7 via AP
Hannah Al-Othman1 June 2016

The University of California was put on lockdown after a shooter opened fire on the Los Angeles campus.

At least two people have been confirmed dead, although one of the dead could have been the shooter, UCLA Police Chief James Herren told reporters.

The shooting reportedly took place one of the university's engineering labs.

Those on campus have been asked to take shelter while police deal with the situation.

NBC News reported two people were killed, but campus officials said they could not immediately confirm the condition of the victims.

"Right now the police are at the scene and the campus is on lockdown," an office manager in the university's media relations division said.

Bioengineering student Bahjat Alirani said police were shouting at people to run from the scene.

He said: "I was in Boelter Hall to take a final and I exit the staircase to see SWAT-looking police yelling at everyone to evacuate immediately.

"I check my email and BruinAlert had immediately sent an email to all students notifying them of a shooter in the engineering building."

Police Chief James Herren said: "It is certainly possible that one of the victims is a shooter."

Police found a suicide note and handgun, NBC Los Angeles reported, citing an unidentified source.

Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Aareon Jefferson reported two fatalities from the shooting but could not confirm any details about the victims or provide further information about the suspect.

"The LAPD is continuing a methodical search of the campus and surrounding areas," police said in a statement.

The campus remained on lockdown, UCLA's office of media relations said.

The city of Los Angeles was placed on a tactical alert citywide, which means officials can allocate resources based on need, Los Angeles Police Captain Andrew Neiman told reporters near the scene.

There were no reports of bombs or other devices, Neiman added..

Police received multiple calls of shots fired around 10am local time (6pm UK time) triggering an immediate search for suspects and victims by LAPD and campus police, officials said.

Erica Roberts, a sophomore economics major from Rockville, Maryland, said she took shelter inside the student health center about 10 minutes after she had arrived for work there.

"Everyone is really on edge and contacting loved ones to let them know we are safe," she said in a telephone interview. "I'm trying to stay in contact with all my friends on campus to make sure they are OK. Everyone is just terrified."

The university has more than 43,000 enrolled students, according to its website.

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