Photographs: Daniel Kraft/Reuters
At least six people were killed as a gunman went on a rampage in Southern California, before being shot down by the police at a college library, some three miles away from where United States President Barack Obama was attending a fundraiser.
According to Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks, the gunman was 25 to 30 years old and dressed all in black, wearing what appeared to be a ballistic jacket.
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Five dead as gunman goes on rampage in California
Image: A women is comforted by a traffic officer near Santa Monica College following a shootingPhotographs: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters
Another person of interest is said to be in police custody.
"We are not convinced 100 per cent that the suspect who was killed operated in a solo or alone capacity," Seabrooks said at a hurriedly convened news conference.
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Five dead as gunman goes on rampage in California
Image: A vehicle sits on the side of a road with a window shattered by bullets that an eyewitness said was connected to the shooting a few blocks away on the campus of Santa Monica CollegePhotographs: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters
It was not immediately clear where all the deceased victims were killed. In all six people -- all women -- were taken to two hospitals, including two in critical condition, one of whom died, local media reported.
Seabrooks said there were at least six incidents across the city ending in the Santa Monica College.
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Five dead as gunman goes on rampage in California
Image: Law enforcement officers search the campus of Santa Monica College following the shootingPhotographs: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters
An eyewitness on the college campus, Jason Garrett, told CNN the suspected shooter was dressed in black and appeared to be wearing a tactical vest and carrying a rifle.
A female witness said she heard a noise, realised it was a gunshot, then took off running. Then, in a hallway, she saw a dark-haired man whom she initially mistook for a police officer but later realized was the shooter.
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Five dead as gunman goes on rampage in California
Image: A police officer walks on the street during a search at Santa Monica College following the shootingPhotographs: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters
The man -- who she said was wearing black combat boots and what appeared to be a bullet-proof vest -- was quiet and walking casually.
"(He had) a big shotgun," the woman told the CNN.
Jeff Furrows of the Santa Monica Fire Department said there was extensive fire damage at a house near the college, and one of the wounded women was found with a gunshot wound in a car nearby.
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Five dead as gunman goes on rampage in California
Image: Women leave Santa Monica College following a shooting on campus in Santa MonicaPhotographs: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters
Jerry Cunningham Rathner, who lives near the house, said she heard gunshots and came out onto her porch to see a man shooting at the residence. Soon, the building erupted in flames and was billowing smoke, Fox News reported.
"He fired three to four shots into the car -- boom, boom, boom, right at her," said Rathner, who went to the woman's aid and saw she was wounded in the shoulder.
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Five dead as gunman goes on rampage in California
Image: A police officer carries boxes for collecting evidence near a home which was set on fire in Santa MonicaPhotographs: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
The alleged gunman abducted the woman in the first car and drove away, Rathner said. From there, the scene shifted to Santa Monica College, where the gunman was eventually shot dead.
Nearby schools and campuses were put on lockdown, police said amid confusion over whether an additional gunman could be at large.
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Five dead as gunman goes on rampage in California
Image: US President Barack Obama hugs outgoing Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa upon his arrival in Santa Monica to attend a fundraiserPhotographs: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Obama, on his way to a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, was in Santa Monica speaking at a Democratic fundraiser several miles from the scene of the shooting.
The US president, who had been due to fly back to Los Angeles airport, instead went in a motorcade, to avoid any impact on police action around the shootings, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
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