Three shot dead near US college

HOUSTON -- Three people, including one police officer and the suspected gunman himself, were killed and several others injured in a shooting incident that happened on Monday afternoon near the US Texas A&M University campus at College Station, local media reported.

According to reports by local TV channel ABC13, police have confirmed that Constable Brian Bachmann and an unidentified civilian male were killed. Another police officer was shot in the leg and a female civilian was also shot and injured.

The gunman was shot and taken into custody by the police, according to ABC13. Separate reports said that the suspect later succumbed to injuries.

An online report by The Houston Chronicle said that at least five people were taken to the College Station Medical Center, while one female patient was sent to the St. Joseph Emergency Center in Bryan.

The shooting occurred about 12:45 pm local time, and a resident in the area was quoted as saying that he heard about 30 gunshots.

A police spokesman said that the police didn't know whether the shooter was a student of the university.

The cause of the shooting also remained unclear.