3 dead, 6 injured in U.S. Seattle shooting

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and six more injured in a shooting early Sunday at a South Seattle hookah lounge in the U.S. state of Washington, officials said.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at Rainier Hookah Lounge just before 4:30 a.m. (1130 GMT), according to the Seattle Police Department.

Police found that two men and a woman had been shot, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.

The two men, aged 22 and 32, died from injuries at the scene. The woman, aged 30, was taken to hospital in critical condition. She died later in the day, Diaz added.

The injured were also taken to the hospital. Four men and a woman were in stable condition as of Sunday afternoon. A 23-year-old man was in critical condition, Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said at the news conference.

The department's homicide unit is leading an investigation. It's not clear yet what led to the shooting or how many suspects have been involved. Police confirmed they recovered at least five guns.

"It appeared they might have been trying to shut down the place, as well. But when it comes to the community, I believe it's an isolated incident," Diaz said.