Highway gunman kills three

FOUR people died on a US highway yesterday when a gunman shot dead three people and was later killed in a shootout with police.

Three state troopers were also injured in the incident in Frankstown Township, about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The gunman is thought to have been driving when he opened fire. Police say they are not yet sure if he knew the people he killed.

The shootings took place just a week after 26 people, including 20 children, were killed in Connecticut.

Pennsylvania state trooper Adam Reed said police did not believe the incident was linked to the school shooting but that the possibility would be “looked into”.

A spokesman for the emergency services said police had “neutralised” the shooter and there was no longer a threat to the public.