At least three people died in a shooting at a school in the US state of Missouri - including the shooter. He killed a 16-year-old and a 61-year-old teacher at school, US media reported, citing the authorities. Seven people were injured. "It could have been much worse," said a police spokesman on US television.

According to the information, the shooter was a 19-year-old former student. Police are still working to determine a motive. He was fatally shot in an exchange of fire with the police.

The US has long struggled with massive levels of gun violence. Firearms are often readily available in the country. According to the latest data from the health authority CDC, around 20,000 people were shot in the USA alone in 2020 - more than 50 a day. Firearm injuries were the number one cause of death for children and young people there for the first time in 2020 - ahead of traffic accidents.