It has emerged a Texas police officer who was shot dead near a university in a town north-west of Houston was serving an eviction notice.

A 65-year old man also died as well as the gunman.

3 other officers and a 55-year-old woman were wounded.

A gunman opened fire from inside a house as the police officer approached.

Four people also were injured near the A&M University campus.

The shooting comes at a time of national concern over gun violence after two recent mass shootings.

The gunman who has not been identified  was aged in his mid 30s according to officials.

Officials said the wounded included a 55-year-old woman who underwent surgery  and a College Station police officer who was in stable condition after being shot in the leg.

Two other officers were injured but not by gunshots and their injuries were not life-threatening.