Several injured in US church shooting

A church pastor has been killed and several people have been wounded in a shooting at an Illinois church near St Louis, according to media reports in the US.

The St Louis Post-Dispatch and KDSK-TV in St Louis said the shooting occurred at the First Baptist Church in the town of Maryville.

The Post-Dispatch also said the suspected attacker is in custody.

Maryville is about 20 miles north-east of St Louis.

Later a hospital spokeswoman confirmed that one person had arrived dead from the scene of the shooting.

Natalie Head of Anderson Hospital in Maryville said two other people transferred from First Maryville Baptist Church were wounded.

Illinois State Police Lieutenant Scott Compton confirmed that there was a shooting in a Maryville church.