WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - A suspect was shot to death on Monday (July 3) after attempting to steal a helicopter at an airport in Hillsboro, Oregon, the Oregonian newspaper reported.

All arriving and departing flights were put on hold at the airport, about 24km north-west of Portland, the newspaper said.

A Hillsboro Police Department spokesman confirmed to Reuters that there had been a shooting at the airport but declined to provide details.

Airport officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Oregonian reported that the suspect was shot after running from the airport into a nearby field shortly after the incident was reported at about 11.40am pacific.

The person was pronounced dead at the scene, the newspaper reported.