One resident says the killings occurred around midday today in the town of Ambo. Another resident says gunshots could be heard since morning. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity because of fear of retaliation.
The town has seen multiple demonstrations since anti- government protests erupted in Ethiopia in 2015 and caused a months-long state of emergency that was lifted earlier this year.
Ethiopia's government spokesman was not immediately available to comment.
A spokesman for the Oromia region, Addisu Kittesa, says in a Facebook post that "lives were lost and people wounded."
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