Gunman identified in deadly Oregon college shooting

At least 10 people are dead and 7 injured following a shooting at a community college in southwest Oregon, according the Attorney General's Office has reported. Authorities have reported that the gunman was also killed during an exchange of gunfire with police.

A government official has identified the shooter as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer, according to the Associated Press.

According to The Associated Press, a student who was in the classroom where the shooting took place told the Roseburg News-Review newspaper that "the gunman shot her teacher and asked others in her classroom about their religion before spraying more bullets."

Eighteen-year-old Kortney Moore of Rogue River said she was in class on Thursday when a shot came through a window. The gunman then entered the room and told everyone to get on the ground before asking people to stand up and state their religion. The shooter then opened fire, the student said.

"This event has been deemed a mass casualty event which brings specific protocols into play," The Douglas County Sheriff said in a statement Thursday evening. "That includes a specific process by which the state medical examiner's office will manage identification. Because of these protocols and the need to notify each family, we don't anticipate releasing names for 24 - 48 hours. The law enforcement investigation into the shooter and his motivation is on-going. We are not ready at this time to make any comments on him."

The law enforcement investigation into the shooter and his motivation is on-going. We are not ready at this time to make any comments on him.

The Oregon State Police sent out a press release Thursday afternoon saying they believe there was only one shooter, and the suspect is "no longer a threat." Authorities also said there is no threat to the community at this time.

Staff and family of Umpqua Community College were taken by bus to the Douglas County Fairgrounds to meet family, police said.

The college is about 180 miles south of Portland.

A photographer for the Roseburg News-Review newspaper said he saw people being loaded into multiple ambulances and taken to the local hospital.

Umpqua Community College has about 3,000 students.

"It's extremely concerning and sad," said Endi Hartigan, spokeswoman for the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

This is a breaking news story and more information will be added as it develops.

Toniann Antonelli and The Associated Press contributed to this story.