Police say the sniper died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

The sniper sprayed a county courthouse with bullets, killing a police officer and wounding two people.

The gunman then hid in a church for several hours before police stormed the building and found his body and that of another man.

Police do not know the shooter's motive and do not believe he had a specific target in mind.

The shooting began late on Saturday when dozens of bullets struck the county courthouse and ripped through an emergency dispatch centre.

David Duke, Moscow's assistant police chief said: "Whoever the shooter is wanted to draw people to the courthouse. When officers responded, he did open fire on them".

The first officer to respond to the shooting was Lee Newbill. He died from his injuries before reaching hospital.

The county sheriff's deputy, Brannon Jordan, is in a serious condition with multiple gunshot wounds, after pulling Newbill out of the line of fire.

An unnamed civilian was also injured and is in hospital.

The sniper took cover in a Presbyterian church and a shot was heard early on Sunday morning.

Police raided the building and found two bodies, one presumed to be that of the gunman.

An automatic rifle was found next to his body, in the church sanctuary, and the body of the second man was found in the church office. Authorities have not released either man's name.