Oregon shooter identified as Chris Mercer

US officials have identified the gunman behind the deadly shooting at a community college in Oregon as Chris Harper Mercer, 26, media report.

Several media outlets including CNN, CBS and NBC, released Mercer's name but authorities have yet to officially identify him.

Authorities had previously said that the shooter was a male aged 20.

Media reports said investigators had interviewed Mercer's family and friends and were closely looking at his social media postings for clues.

Reports also said he was not a student at Umpqua Community College, located in rural Roseburg.