Three people were killed in a shooting at a university in Las Vegas

The attacker was shot dead by the police.

The incident at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which is located near the tourist strip, was the latest incident in a country where gun violence has become a part of daily life.

“Three victims are confirmed deceased,” Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference.

VIDEO: Three people were killed in a shooting at a university in Las Vegas

He said a fourth victim was seriously injured in the shooting but was later listed in stable condition.

The identity of the shooter was not immediately released, but CNN and The Los Angeles Times, citing law enforcement sources, said he was a 67-year-old college professor with ties to educational institutions in Georgia and North Carolina. But it was unclear what ties he had to the University of Nevada, where the shooting took place.

In a statement, US President Joe Biden condemned the latest “horrific act of gun violence” on a college campus.

Police responded within minutes to reports of an active shooter at 11 a.m. 45 minutes local (21:45 Lithuanian) time, K. McMahill said at the press conference.

Two officers exchanged fire with the suspect, who was wounded and killed, University Police Chief Adam Garcia said.

The incident started when students were gathering outside.

“Students played games, ate food, there were tables where they could build Lego blocks,” McMahill said. “If not for the heroic actions of one of the responding police officers, many more lives could have been lost.”

Police have not released any additional information about the identity of the victims or the shooter and are in the process of notifying next of kin.