Three Dead In New Jersey Supermarket Shooting

A supermarket worker killed two co-workers before fatally shooting himself in New Jersey.

Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan says gunman Terence Tyler, 23, a former Marine, had only worked at the Pathmark store in Old Bridge since August 20.

Kaplan said Tyler left the store about 3.30am on Friday, drove off and returned about 20 minutes later in desert camouflage clothing.

He said Tyler fired outside at one employee, who ran inside and warned co-workers as Tyler entered.

The prosecutor said Tyler then fired at five employees in one aisle, killing two. He then drew a handgun and shot himself.

Some 16 shots were fired and an AK-47 assault rifle, extra ammunition and a handgun were found at the scene.

Emergency services were called to the supermarket, situated in a suburb 25 miles from New York, at about 4am on Friday.

Shop staff were reportedly stocking shelves when the shooter entered.

The store was closed at the time and was scheduled to open at 6am.

It is not yet known what led to the shooting. The motive is being investigated.

A family member told reporters that Tyler was discharged from the Marines two years ago after suffering from depression.

It comes just weeks after a series of mass shootings in the US.

In July, a gunman opened fire in a crowded Colorado movie theatre during a screening of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others.

Earlier this month, six people died when an army veteran opened fire in a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.