An active gunman on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta has forced students into lockdown.

Unverified social media reports suggest the nearby Centres for Disease Control and Prevention building was targeted by the gunman.

Atlanta police did not immediately say whether anyone was injured in the shooting but confirmed they were responding to an active gunman.

A heavy police presence could be observed at the scene.

The university warned students and others on the campus to seek shelter.

The university told students to “run, hide, fight” and avoid the area, according to the alert.

Staff at a deli near the campus locked the doors and hunkered down inside. Brandy Giraldo, General Muir’s chief operating officer, said staffers inside heard a string of gunshots.

“It sounded like fireworks going off, one right after the other,” she said.

This is a breaking news story. More to come.