The guman was identified as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer by local media, which citing eye-witnesses, reported that he allegedly targeted Christians.
He opened fire at Umpqua Community College in rural Roseburg, about 180 miles south of Portland - the capital of Oregon -- and then went on to other classrooms gunning down his victims, witnesses said.
The police said the motive of the shooter was not known.
President Obama, who has so far failed to convince the Republican-majority Congress towards a stringent gun-control laws, spilled out his frustrations, saying "our" thoughts and prayers are not enough.
"It's not enough. It does not capture the heartache and grief and anger that we should feel. And it does nothing to prevent this carnage from being inflicted someplace else in America -- next week, or a couple of months from now," he told reporters at the White House.
In the last seven years, Obama has addressed the nation more than a dozen times on nine different shooting attacks.
A grim-faced John Hanlin, Sheriff of Douglas County, said: "It's been a terrible day."
"Certainly this is a huge shock to our community."
Hanlin said he would not name the shooter. "I will not name the shooter. I will not give him the credit he probably sought prior to this horrific and cowardly act," he said.
Earlier authorities had said 13 people died, but later confirmed the death toll to 10, including the gunman.
A visibly angry Obama told reporters that it's fair to say that anybody who does this "has a sickness in their minds," regardless of what they think their motivations may be.
"But we are not the only country on Earth that has people with mental illnesses or want to do harm to other people. We are the only advanced country on Earth that sees these kinds of mass shootings every few months," he said.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
