Jersey City shooting: Multiple officers shot after gunman opens fire in New Jersey

Police officers have been shot during a standoff in the US state of New Jersey that left a neighbourhood, including a school, in lockdown, authorities said.

The shooting took place on Tuesday afternoon in Jersey City as sporadic, heavy gunfire rang out over the course of at least an hour.

FBI spokeswoman Patty Hartman said that more than one officer has been shot but could not give any other information.

Swat teams, state police and federal agents responded to the scene, and police blocked off the area.

An official told the New York Times that two suspects were barricaded in a convenience store.

Witnesses said loud volleys of gunfire could be heard at regular intervals but it subsided around 2pm local time (7pm GMT) in the city, which is just across the Hudson River from Manhattan

NYPD said in a tweet that specialist officers were responding to an "ongoing shooting incident".

A spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the agency was also treating the incident as an “active shooter” situation.

Twelve nearby schools were put on lockdown, according to the superintendent of Jersey City Public Schools, Frank Walker.

The ATF of Newark tweeted that they also have agents responding to "reports of an active shooter."

The New Jersey State PBA also tweeted: "We need a lot of prayers right now for Jersey City officers. Keep all those involved in your thoughts."

Local residents posted videos online that showed a Swat team and responding officers rushing to the scene.

Democratic Governor Phil Murphy said:“Our thoughts and prayers are with the men and women of the Jersey City Police Department, especially with the officers shot during this standoff, and with the residents and schoolchildren currently under lockdown.

“I have every confidence in our law enforcement professionals to ensure the safety of the community and resolve this situation.”​

Andy Patel, who works at a liquor store about three blocks away from the site of the shooting told AP there had been consistent gunfire fire about an hour Tuesday afternoon.

“I can hear the gunshots. It’s like firecrackers going off. They were shooting like crazy about an hour ago. Then it stopped for like 20 or 30 minutes. The cops were clearing everyone off the streets,” said Mr Patel.

Jersey City Police said they had no information to provide.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting and was monitoring it.