(Reuters) - A gunman opened fire at a private Christian college in Oakland, California, on Monday, killing at least two people and wounding at least four, authorities said.

Oakland police said in a brief written statement that a possible suspect was in custody after the shootings at Oikos University.

No imminent public safety threat appears to exist in immediate area, police said.

Local television reports had shown police evacuating Oikos students and loading them into a SWAT vehicle as other armed officers took up positions around the school.

Oakland police spokeswoman Johnna Watson told reporters there were fatalities but she did not give a specific number. A spokeswoman for Highland Memorial Hospital in Oakland said the facility was treating four shooting victims.

Oikos describes itself on its website as having been started to provide the highest standard education with Christian value and inspiration.

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