Six young people have died after a part-time police officer opened fire at a house in the Midwestern US state of Wisconsin early on Sunday.
Six young people have died after a part-time police officer opened fire at a house in the Midwestern US state of Wisconsin early on Sunday.
The shootings took place in the town of Crandon, in the north of the state.
The shootings took place in the town of Crandon, in the north of the state.
The suspect, who was employed by the Forest County Sheriff's office, was reported to have been killed by a police sniper.
The suspect, who was employed by the Forest County Sheriff's office, was reported to have been killed by a police sniper.
Unconfirmed reports say the attack followed an argument between the gunman and his girlfriend.
Unconfirmed reports say the attack followed an argument between the gunman and his girlfriend.
The gunman was named as 20-year-old Tyler Peterson. Police Chief John Dennee said that he also worked part-time as a police officer, although he was not on duty at the time of the shooting.
The gunman was named as 20-year-old Tyler Peterson. Police Chief John Dennee said that he also worked part-time as a police officer, although he was not on duty at the time of the shooting.
The incident occurred shortly before 0300 local time (0800 GMT), when the gunman opened fire at a house party.
The incident occurred shortly before 0300 local time (0800 GMT), when the gunman opened fire at a house where a group of young people had gathered.
"At this point there are six deceased inside that residence. The subject was located by law enforcement officers. The subject is deceased and is no longer a threat to the public," Sheriff Keith Van Cleve said.
"The subject was located by law enforcement officers. The subject is deceased and is no longer a threat to the public," Sheriff Keith Van Cleve said.
A seventh youth is in critical condition in hospital.
A seventh youth is in critical condition in hospital.
Tight-knit community
Tight-knit community
"It's a pretty tragic situation here," said Forest County Supervisor Tom Vollmar, who lives just outside Crandon, a community of 2,000 people, about 225 miles (360 kilometres) north of Milwaukee.
"It's a pretty tragic situation here," said Forest County Supervisor Tom Vollmar, who lives just outside Crandon, a community of 2,000 people, about 225 miles (360 kilometres) north of Milwaukee.
The town of Crandon is in northern Wisconsin
The town of Crandon is in northern Wisconsin
Two of the victims were reported to be high school students and four others were recent graduates.
Three of the victims were Crandon High School students, said schools Superintendent Richard Peters, and the other three had graduated within the past three years.
"There is probably nobody in Crandon who is not affected by this," Mr Peters said, adding that students would be especially affected.
"They are going to wake up in shock and disbelief and a lot of pain."
One of the dead was named as 14-year-old Lindsey Stahl.
One of the dead was named as 14-year-old Lindsey Stahl.
Her mother, Jenny Stahl, said her daughter was staying at a friend's house.
Her mother, Jenny Stahl, said her daughter was staying at a friend's house.
"I'm waiting for somebody to wake me up right now. This is a bad, bad dream," Mrs Stahl said.
"I'm waiting for somebody to wake me up right now. This is a bad, bad dream," Mrs Stahl said.
"All I heard, it was a jealous boyfriend and he went berserk. He took them all out," she added.
"All I heard, it was a jealous boyfriend and he went berserk. He took them all out," she added.
The town was said to be in "lockdown" mode throughout Sunday morning, with residents forbidden to leave their homes as police searched for the suspect.
Bud Evans, an elder at Crandon Praise Chapel, told BBC News 24 that worried relatives had gathered at the church as they waited for news.
Mr Vollmar said the shooting had "affected probably every family in this community".
Bud Evans, an elder at Crandon Praise Chapel, told BBC News 24 that worried relatives have gathered at the church as they wait for news.
"They're coming and going, there's probably 100 or more that are gathered here and I'm sure they're gathered at other places in town as well," he said.
"If there's five or six children or kids, young adults, whatever, involved in this, I'd know every one of them - the community's that small and that tight-knit," Mr Evans said.
"If there's five or six children or kids, young adults, whatever, involved in this, I'd know every one of them - the community's that small and that tight-knit," Mr Evans said.
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