Shooting at U.S. university



A GUNMAN has opened fire in a classroom at Northern Illinois University outside Chicago.

At least 18 people were shot by a man armed with a shotgun and pistol, local media have reported.

A hospital near the campus said it expected to receive up to 15 people wounded in the incident.

A posting on the university's website said "the gunman is no longer a threat".

He is believed to be either in custody or dead.

One student told local radio that roughly 140 students were in a geology classroom when the man opened fire.

Another student said he was sitting in the class taking notes when the gunman entered from behind a curtain, firing a shotgun.

"He was just shooting, and people were screaming."

The 25,000-student campus, 65 miles west of downtown Chicago, has been shut down and classes cancelled.