NEVADA police have killed a gunman suspected of firing shots from the balcony of an apartment building in downtown Reno, in scenes echoing October’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.

According to reports, the man fired several shots from an elevated position in the Montage apartments. He held a female hostage in his room as police surrounded the building and “contained” him.

Officers later confirmed the man was killed by a SWAT team before he injured anyone.

News 4-Fox 11’s Ben Margiott reported hearing four shots in quick succession followed by three individual shots at longer intervals when he arrived on the scene.

Suspect in the shooting in downtown is detained. Thankfully no reports of injuries to citizens or officers or deputies. — Reno Police (@RenoPolice) November 29, 2017

No further threat downtown. Please continue to avoid the area while first responders continue on scene. Thank you for your cooperation. — Reno Police (@RenoPolice) November 29, 2017

According to the Reno Gazette Journal, dozens of police cars, ambulances and SWAT vehicles surrounded the Montage complex.

The Gazette reported the gunman may have had mental health issues.

.@RenoPolice say the suspect in a downtown shooting incident is in custody. The area around the Montage will be closed to the public until further notice: https://t.co/DwfPpvraPW pic.twitter.com/aIp8QHMiYh — KOLO8 (@KOLO8) November 29, 2017

The first reports of the shooting were made around 7.30pm local time (2.30pm AEDT).

Police said there were no reports of injuries in the incident which lasted around an hour.

Happening now active shooter at The Montage in Downtown Reno Nevada. Currently suspect barricades on 8th floor. Was shooting out of building from balcony. pic.twitter.com/MF0lrMxl3I — T-O-N-Y (@gr33nlantrn) November 29, 2017

One witness told the Reno Gazette he was reminded of October’s mass shooting in Las Vegas when he heard the gunshots.

“When you heard it’s coming from above it reminds you of the guy shooting from Mandalay Bay ... it’s scary you know? This is the same kind of town,” Mike Pavicich said.

On October 3, 64-year-old Nevada resident Stephen Paddock fired bullets down on the Route 91 Harvest Festival from his room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas.

Paddock killed 57 people and injured 546 others, making it the worst mass shooting in American history.