Detroit Barbershop Shooting: 3 dead, several wounded after shooting at barbershop in Detroit strip mall, police say

(CBS/AP) DETROIT - Police say gunfire broke out Wednesday evening at a Detroit strip mall barbershop known for gambling activity, leaving at least three men dead.

The shootings happened about 6 p.m. at Al's Place Barber Shop, according to police spokeswoman Kelly Miner.

CBS Detroit reports 10 men were shot. Three of them were confirmed dead early Thursday morning. The victims haven't yet been identified.

A motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Police Chief James Craig told reporters at the scene that "suspects engaged a couple of victims" before "several shots were fired." He said it's not known if any of the victims fired back.

Miner said two cars pulled up outside the barbershop and people in the vehicles exchanged gunfire with each other.

"Somehow someone shot into the building, and that's when people rushed out of the building and were running into other area businesses for cover," she said.

Lorne Carter told the Detroit Free Press that he was smoking a cigarette against the wall of a nearby business when he heard what sounded like 30 to 40 shots.

"It sounded rapid," Carter said.

According to the station, a witness said he was riding his bike down 7 Mile when he heard what sounded like ten to 15 seconds of automatic gunfire.

The barbershop is in a strip mall along a major road on the city's east side. Nearby businesses include a Chinese restaurant, auto repair shops and a convenience store.

Craig said Al's Place is a known illegal gambling spot.

"We're not sure if this was over a bad debt. We have no idea," the police chief said. "We know it's a barbershop and gambling has occurred in this location."

He told reporters that police were looking for two vehicles that the suspects might have been using: a 2004 white Chevrolet Impala that possibly has a broken window and bullet holes in the back, and a 2004 black Impala.