WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A shooter killed one person and injured at least two others on Monday at a hospital in the U.S. state of Tennessee, and appeared to have died with a self- inflicted gunshot wound, local media reported.

The shooting took place at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville. The local WBIR-TV quoted police spokesman Darrell DeBusk as saying that the police received emergency calls that multiple gunshots had been fired at the hospital at 4 to 4:30 p.m..

The police responded and found at least three victims with gunshot wounds. One later died from the wound.

They also found one individual with what appears to be a self- inflicted gunshot wound. DeBusk said the person appeared to be the shooter. Reports later said the shooter died.

DeBusk couldn't confirm the identity of the shooter or the victims. Earlier reports quoted fire department spokesman Brent Seymour as saying the number of persons shot was five.

The police have locked down the hospital, and they are sweeping the hospital floor by floor as a precautionary measure. DeBusk said no unauthorized person was allowed to enter or exit the hospital at the moment.

TV image showed a helicopter circling in the sky, looking for potential danger around the area. Medical personnel were outside the hospital building, treating and comforting patients.