A deadly shooting occurred at a gun shop in the New Orleans metro area, "multiple" people are dead and some innocent bystanders wounded as a result of the incident, local news channel WDSU reported Saturday.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff, Joseph Lopinto, said in a statement that three people were pronounced dead at the scene.
"At around 2:50 pm [20:50 GMT on Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a report of a shooting at Jefferson gun outlet in the 6700 block of Airline Drive. Arriving deputies located several victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Three individuals were pronounced dead on the scene, and two more were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The two transported victims are in stable condition," the Saturday statement says.
One of the people shot to death was the shooter himself, the sheriff's office said.
"At this time, it appears a suspect shot 2 victims inside the location, then was engaged and shot outside the location by multiple other individuals. The suspect is one of the deceased on scene," police explained.
The incident reportedly took place at the Jefferson Gun Outlet in Metairie, Louisiana, at 6719 Airline Drive.
The state's branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has issued a statement, saying that it has dispatched special agents to cooperate with the local Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office in the investigation.
No information has been issued concerning the identity of the shooter, which remains unknown, as well as the motive behind the shooting.