A gunman in Florida has shot “five people dead” on a university campus, with students rushing from the scene as the institution goes into lockdown.

Students were ushered away from the student union on Florida State University (FSU) campus in Tallahassee following a shooter alert at midday on Thursday.

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare is receiving and treating people affected by the shooting, Sarah Cannon, a hospital spokesperson said.

She said the hospital cannot yet confirm the number of people in care, and said the details are still unfolding.

Local media outlet WFTV reported that five people have been killed and four others had been injured.

Other media outlets have suggested that at least six people have been taken to hospital, with one in a critical condition.

Ambulances, fire trucks and patrol vehicles from multiple law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene following the alert at 5.00pm BST (12.00pm local time).

Officials have one person custody in connection to the shooting, a spokesperson for the Tallahassee Police Department confirmed to NBC News.

Ambulances, fire trucks and patrol vehicles from multiple law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene

A local news station has reported that two shooters are involved.

“Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding,” the state governor, Ron DeSantis, wrote on X.

One FSU student, Meghan, told GB News: "I’ve heard that there are two shooters. One of them has been taken down, by a student that carried a concealed weapon on campus. The other shooter has not been found.

"There are at least six people injured, one in critical condition, and five with serious injuries. I’ve seen many videos of people running and people that were shot and it is truly terrifying.

"Law enforcement has started to clear buildings, and the university has canceled classes."

More than 42,000 students attend classes at the main campus.

Donald Trump described the incident as a “shame” during his bilateral meeting at the White House with Giorgia Meloni

“I have been briefed on the Florida State University active shooter. It’s a shame,” he said.