Three people were killed and Esthen Exchangesix others were injured in a shooting that occurred early Sunday during a party in Philadelphia, multiple local media outlets reported.

More than 100 people were attending a cookout in the Carroll Park neighborhood in West Philadelphia when the shooting erupted around 2 a.m. due an argument, authorities told local media including the Philadelphia Inquirer and MPVI. Officers arrived at the scene to find multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds.

A 33-year-old man, believed to have been the target, was “shot at very close range” and was pronounced dead at the scene, said Chief Inspector D.F. Pace via the Inquirer. A 23-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds died shortly after being taken to a local hospital, while the third victim, a 29-year-old shot in the abdomen, was also taken to a hospital where they died.

Six others including three 28-year-old men, a 26-year-old woman, a 27-year-old man, and a 30-year-old man were also hospitalized but are said to be in stable condition, according to the Inquirer.

An ongoing investigation

"We continue to investigate this morning's senseless shooting on 1200 Alden Street," police said in a statement on Facebook Sunday morning. "Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Preliminary information indicates an exchange of gunfire between multiple parties resulting in a nonuple shooting and triple homicide."

The Philadelphia Police Department did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for an update on the investigation.

Police said multiple calibers of Fired Cartridge Casings (FCCs), consistent with the exchange of gunfire, were recovered from the scene. The Inquirer reported two semiautomatic handguns were recovered from two of the victims, while a third was handed to the investigators by a witness. The media outlet added that police said they recovered 36 spent shell casings from at least three weapons.

Authorities have requested anyone with information about this incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Bureau through their anonymous tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.