Seven people have been killed and seven others injured in drive-by shootings in a student enclave next to the University of California in Santa Barbara, authorities said today.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said the dead in the rampage in the Isla Vista neighbourhood included the suspected attacker, who was driving a black BMW.

Earlier, he said the suspect exchanged gunfire with deputies before crashing into a parked car. He did not know if the suspect was shot by deputies, or if his wound was self-inflicted.

Mr Brown said the shootings took place at several sites in the town, resulting in nine crime scenes, and the circumstances are under investigation.

Isla Vista is known for parties, including an annual spring bash which turned into a violent blowout last month as young people clashed with police and threw rocks and bottles. A university police officer and four deputies were injured and 130 people were arrested.