The shootings happened about 6 p.m. at Al's Barber Shop, said police spokeswoman Kelly Miner. She said nine people were shot and three of them were confirmed dead.
Details were sketchy as police were still investigating what happened, and it's not clear how many people opened fire.
Police Chief James Craig said told reporters at the scene that "suspects engaged a couple of victims" before "several shots were fired." He said it's not known of any of the victims fired back.
"Right now the information that we have is that nine people have been shot. Of that number, we have three confirmed, pronounced (dead) at the scene. One we're not sure of."
Miner said she did not have details on the victims, including their ages or genders.
The barbershop is in a strip mall along a major road on the city's east side, and Craig said it's a known site for illegal gambling.
"We're not sure if this was over a bad debt. We have no idea," Craig said. "We know it's a barbershop and gambling has occurred in this location."
Craig told reporters that police were looking for two vehicles that the suspects may have been using, a 2004 white Chevrolet Impala that may have a broken window and bullet holes in the back, and a 2004 black Impala.
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