Four die in US workplace shooting

Jefferson City police have launched an investigation into the killings

A manufacturing plant employee has shot and killed three colleagues and injured five more in the state capital of Missouri, police said.

Police arrived at the plant at about 2228 on Tuesday (0328 GMT) in response to a reported shooting, Jefferson City police said in a statement.

Nearly 20 minutes later, the gunman appeared outside a police station.

He is then thought to have fired one shot at officers before turning his weapon on himself.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Some of the five survivors were taken to hospitals in Jefferson City and Columbia, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north. Their conditions were not immediately available.

'Multiple crime scenes'

"He came in and began firing," said Missouri police captain Jim Johnsen.

Police chief Roger Schroeder said victims were found throughout the building.

"We've got multiple crime scenes, large scenes... and it's going to take a while to sort out," he said.

The man was the only suspect in the plant shootings, he said.

Mr Johnsen said a witness called police with a description of the shooting suspect's white truck.

The shooter, a man in his 20s, had worked for Modine for about two years, and there was no immediate apparent motive for his actions, said company spokesman Mick Lucareli.

Modine officials have suspended operations and are providing grief counselling for the 270 workers at the plant, which manufactures radiators for use in agricultural and construction industries.