A student has died, and another is stable but critical after a shooting at Kentucky State University (KSU), officials say.

A suspect, who is not a student at the school, is in custody after the incident on the campus in Frankfort, the city's police department said.

KSU was placed on lockdown on Tuesday afternoon as authorities said they were responding to "an active aggressor". The incident occurred in a residence hall on the south side of campus, KSU said.

Police said the campus shooting appeared to be isolated, not a mass shooting.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was the first to share the news, posting on X: "Violence has no place in our commonwealth or country. Let's please pray for the families affected and for our KSU students.

"Let's also pray for a world where these things don't happen. Thank you to our brave law enforcement who acted quickly to protect our people."

Frankfort Police Department, KSU campus police and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office responded to the shooting.

In a press conference Tuesday evening, Frankfort Police Department's assistant police chief Scott Tracy said campus police had taken "swift action" and arrested the suspect before authorities arrived to the scene.

Local, state and federal agencies are now assisting in the investigation, he said.

"Out of respect for both students and their families, the University will not release identifying or additional medical information at this time," KSU said on its website.

"We are in close contact with the families and are providing every available support to them."

The university has cancelled classes, final exams and campus activities for the rest of the week, according to its website, and is offering students the choice of returning home.

Speaking at the press conference, KSU President Koffi C. Akakpo called the shooting a "senseless tragedy".

"As a parent, I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed today to the parents," he said.

Counselling and support services are being offered to students, faculty and staff affected by the shooting, the university's website says.

The KSU campus covers about 1,000 acres, and has more than 2,200 students and 450 faculty and staff members, according to its website.