US police have a suspect in custody after reports of gunfire at an Atlanta-area primary school, an official says.

Michael Thurmond, superintendent of DeKalb County schools, said that school officials are doing a head count to ensure all students at Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy are safe.

Television footage showed students were evacuated from the school and were sitting outside in a field.

Mr Thurmond said he is not aware of any injuries.

DeKalb County School Board Chairman Melvin Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution there were reports of shots being fired inside the building.

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