Boston, Apr 19 (IANS): A Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed Thursday night at the school's campus outside Boston, which has been edge since Monday's Boston Marathon bombing.

Police and the FBI responded to reports of gunshots at Building 32, according to MIT, which posted a message on its Twitter account. Officers surrounded and cordoned off the building, CNN reported.

The university, which lies adjacent to the city of Boston, requested people stay away from the building as police consider the situation still active and dangerous.

Students and faculty received e-mails to alert them to the event, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.

USA Today cited police spokesman Dave Procopio as saying the shooting took place about 10:30 p.m. outside an MIT building. The killed officer was described as a male but no further information about him was released.

Procopio said authorities are searching for a suspect or suspects.

About 11,000 people attend the prestigious school. The MIT campus is in Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Boston and less than two miles from Copley Square, where two bombs exploded Monday near the finish line of the Boston Marathon

The school posted a statement on its website saying only that there had been gunshots heard near the Stata building on campus. It said the area was cordoned off by police and urged students to stay away from the area.

"At 10:48 p.m. today gunshots were reported near Building 32 (Stata) which is currently surrounded by responding agencies. The area is cordoned off. Please stay clear of area until further notice.

"Unknown if injuries have occurred... Although the situation is considered active and extremely dangerous, an investigation is underway. Updates will be provided at this site when more information becomes available," it said.

MIT issued a Tweet saying the investigation was continuing and warning: "Stay vigilant, stay indoors and away from Building 32/76 (Stata/Koch)."