A suspect has fatally shot two people at a gun store in a suburb of New Orleans, with the shooter also dying during gunfire

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said a person he described as the initial shooter fired inside the Jefferson Gun Outlet yesterday afternoon, striking the two people who were later pronounced dead.

He said several other people - whether employees or store customers - then opened fire on the shooter, both inside and outsidef the building.

The suspect also was killed.

Guns and ammunition are sold in the front of the outlet and staff who work there often wear a side arm.

Lopinto said two other people were also hit by gunfire and were hospitalised in stable condition.