At least three people including two National Guard members were killed as a lone gunman opened fired in a restaurant in Carson City, U.S. State of Nevada, Tuesday morning, the city sheriff said at a late-morning press conference.

A group of guardsmen in uniforms were having breakfast at the Carson City International House of Pancakes (IHOP) when the gunman, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, spayed bullets on them just before 9 a.m. (1600 GMT). Two of the servicemen were left dead and a third person was killed in addition to the soldiers.

The gunman, who suffered serious injuries was transported to a hospital for treatment, but he was not expected to survive, Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong said.

Several others have also been wounded during the shooting spree, The Nevada Appeal, a Carson City newspaper, reported on its website.

The shooting also endangered customers in adjacent restaurants located nearby.

The authorities sent at least four helicopters to the scene, near Interstate 395 to ferry the wounded to area hospitals. Interstate 395, which is only yards from the scene, was temporarily shut down.

The bullets also shattered windows and struck nearby structures including Locals and H&R Block office, as well as Casino Fandango on the other side of the street, witnesses said.