A gunman has been shot dead by police after he opened fire at a community college in Oregon, killing nine people and wounding at least seven others.

The suspect, named in reports as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer, died in an exchange of gunfire with officers at the Umpqua Community College in Roseburg.

Three handguns and a "long gun" belonging to the gunman have been recovered from the scene.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin confirmed that 10 people, including the gunman, were killed in the shooting, which took place around 10.30am local time on Thursday.

The massacre is the deadliest shooting in the US since nine people died in a rampage at a South Carolina church in June.

(Sky News)