Gunman at Memphis Jewish school thwarted by security measures

Police in Tennessee have shot an armed man who they say tried and failed to enter a Jewish school in Memphis before firing his weapon outside it.

No-one at the Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South was injured in Monday's incident, which began after noon (18:00 BST).

The suspect was later stopped by police and shot as he exited his vehicle. He is in hospital in critical condition.

A lawmaker representing the area said the gunman was a former student.

Congressman Steve Cohen also alleged the man was himself Jewish, though he did not specify the source of his information.

"I am pleased the academy had effective security and that the police acted quickly to protect students," Mr Cohen, a Democrat, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Secure Community Network, an organisation that works with the school, also said the suspect was Jewish, according to CNN. They called the incident "personal in nature".

Students at the co-educational school, which serves primary and secondary students, are still on summer vacation, and it is unclear how many people were on campus at the time.

In a statement to the WHBQ local station, the school said the suspect could not gain entry, had a "brief confrontation" with a contract worker and fired at the worker while retreating.