Two people have died and several others have been injured after a school shooting in the US state of California.

The gunman has been arrested and is being treated in hospital after opening fire at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed that two teenagers were among the fatalities.

It is understood that a 16-year-old female student and a 14-year-old boy have been confirmed as those who died.

I’m saddened to report that we have confirmed a total of two fatalities this morning. One female and one male. We will release more information as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/pYfKjnWTBN

— Alex Villanueva (@LACoSheriff) November 14, 2019

Two female victims aged 14 and 15 and another male victim, aged, 14, were also injured following the shooting near Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon.

Police said CCTV from the school shows the 16-year-old suspect take a gun out of his bag before opening fire on five students at the school in Los Angeles County.

He then shot himself in the head and is now in a "grave condition" in hospital, police added.

Police said the suspect is an Asian male student at the school who turned 16 today.

He was said to be carrying a semi-automatic pistol and wearing black clothing and a black hat at the time of the attack.

Officers said they recovered a weapon and are still trying to determine the motive for the shooting.

A large police presence on scene | Image via @LASDHQ on Twitter

Neighbouring schools were also locked down. People were being advised to avoid the area.

Residents were told to lock their doors and stay inside.

Earlier helicopter footage aired on US television showed lines of students with their hands in the air, filing out of school buildings and being led by police officers.

Several pupils were placed on stretchers and taken to ambulances in the school's car park, the LA Times reported.

Additional reporting: IRN