College student Jennifer Estrada takes part in a rally for gun control and anti-racism, in El Paso, Texas, the United States, Aug. 7, 2019.(Photo: Xinhua)

A 15-year-old student opened fire at his Michigan high school on Tuesday, killing three teenagers and wounding eight other people before surrendering to police, authorities said, in what was the deadliest US school shooting so far in 2021.

Eight others, including one teacher, were wounded in the attack, which took place shortly after noon while classes were in session at Oxford High School, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff's office said the dead were a 16-year-old male, a 14-year-old female, and a 17-year-old female.

Of the wounded, six were in stable condition and two were undergoing surgery.

The suspect was taken into custody and a semi-automatic handgun was seized, but there was no immediate explanation for what might have prompted the attack in Oxford, a small town about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Detroit.

"There was no resistance during the arrest and the suspect has asked for a lawyer and has not made any statements as to a motive," the sheriff's office said.

"It's a very tragic situation," Undersheriff Michael McCabe told reporters.

"We have three deceased victims right now, who are all believed to be students," he said.

"We have lots of upset parents," he said.

McCabe said police received more than 100 911 emergency calls shortly after noon, and that the shooter unleashed 15-20 shots over about five minutes.

The suspect was taken into custody within five minutes of the first 911 call, he said.

President Joe Biden was informed of the shooting during a visit to Minnesota.

"My heart goes out to the families enduring the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one," he said.

McCabe said police had been in contact with the suspect's parents and had searched their home.

The suspect had been in class today and appeared to carry out the attack alone.

It was unclear if victims had been specifically targeted or were randomly shot, McCabe said.

"He's not talking to us at this time," he told reporters.

McCabe said police were combing the scene at the school, which has about 1,800 students, and will want to interview anyone who might have information on the suspect.

"I think this is every parent's worst nightmare," Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said at the same press briefing.

It was the deadliest school shooting so far in 2021, according to Everytown For Gun Safety, a group which keeps statistics of mass shootings and lobbies for gun control.

Before Tuesday's incident, there had been 138 shootings in schools across the US in 2021, according to figures provided by Everytown. 

AFP