At least five adults and two children were killed “execution style” in various homes in Pike County, Ohio, on Friday, local law enforcement officials reported.

"We are not aware of there being an active shooter," said Jill Del Greco, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office.

Investigators refused to confirm whether a gunman was among the dead, but said they were carrying out various search warrants.

Columbus TV broadcaster WCMH and others reported that at least seven people were dead. It showed footage of a house surrounded by yellow crime scene tape with sheriff's deputies walking in front.

TV station WHIO reported that two adults and five children were fatally shot, citing a local pastor on the scene.

"Reports we are receiving from Peebles are tragic beyond comprehension," said Ohio Governor and Republican presidential candidate John Kasich in a tweet.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's crime scene search unit and cyber crimes unit were headed to the scene, the Ohio Attorney General's office said.

The Chillicothe Gazette newspaper showed a picture of three ambulances lined up along a wooded and rural road. It said there were multiple crime scenes, citing deputies on the scene.