At least nine people dead in Ohio mass shooting

Nine people in Ohio have been killed in a second mass shooting in the US in less than 24 hours, police say.

The suspected shooter, whose identity has not been released, has also died.

Dayton police tweeted an active shooter situation began in the Oregon District at 1:22 am (local time) on Sunday, but officers nearby were able to "put an end to it quickly".

Assistant Police Chief Matt Carper said the incident happened in a downtown historic neighbourhood known for its nightclubs, bars, art galleries and shops.

The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear and investigators believed the individual had acted alone, he said.

At least 16 others were taken to local hospitals with injuries.

Miami Valley Hospital spokeswoman Terrea Little said 16 victims have been received at the hospital, but she couldn't confirm their conditions.

Kettering Health Network spokeswoman Elizabeth Long said multiple victims from a shooting had been brought to system hospitals, but didn't have details on how many.

Police have not said where in the district the shooting took place.

The FBI is assisting with the investigation.

The Ohio shooting came hours after a young man opened fire in a crowded El Paso, Texas, shopping area, leaving 20 dead and more than two dozen injured.

Just days before on July 28, a 19-year-old shot and killed three people, including two children, at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California.

Video from the scene near downtown Dayton showed a host of emergency vehicles on a street that had been cordoned off.

Witness accounts shared to Facebook and Twitter described hearing sudden gunshots, some claiming they were coming from inside the bar.

There are also reports the shooter was a man who was armed with a rifle.

In chilling video filming in the area at the time of the incident, several gunshot sounds could be heard as the person recording swore in shock.

One man claiming to have witnessed the incident said in a post to Facebook he saw the shooter enter a bar called Neds before opening fire.

“Happened right in front of the patio where I was sitting in front of Neds, the guy in front of Ned peppers door is the active shooter. He tried to go into the bar but did not make it through the door, someone took the gun from him and he got shot and is dead,” a post from Facebook user James Williams said.

“There are at least eight people dead right by the picnic table where I was at on street. A bunch of people was taken to the hospital I don’t know how many, this place is a disaster.”

At least 20 people were killed in Texas at a crowded Walmart at 10:39am (local time) on Saturday when a gunman opened fire.

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