Updated July 02, 2017 12:58:06

People in a crowded nightclub screamed and scrambled for cover as dozens of gunshots rang out during a rap concert in the United States, leaving 28 people injured from an 11-second melee that police said may be gang-related.

Police said they believed the gunfire erupted amid a dispute among clubgoers, and that multiple people fired shots but there were no suggestions the incident was terrorism-related.

The shooting occurred in the Power Ultra Lounge in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the early hours of the morning on Saturday (local time).

Little Rock police said 25 people were shot and three others suffered unrelated injuries but all were expected to survive.

"Some sort of dispute broke out between individuals that were inside, and an exchange of gunfire took place," Police Chief Kenton Buckner said.

"We do not believe this was an act of terror, nor do we believe it was an active shooter situation.

"This does appear to be a continuation of disputes from some of our local groups."

A video taken inside the club at the time of the shooting showed a packed house dancing to Finese 2Tymes, an American rapper.

During a break in the raucous concert as the artist spoke to the crowd, several bursts of gunfire rang out — more than 24 shots in an 11-second period.

People are then heard screaming and yelling as they try to escape the building. A little more than a minute later more gun shots can be heard.

Police cordoned off the block as crime scene technicians gathered evidence from inside and outside the club.

Photo: An investigator collects evidence near the Power Ultra Lounde where multiple people were shot. (AP: Andrew DeMillo)

The shooting follows a week in which there have been about a dozen drive-by shootings in Little Rock, though there is no indication the events are linked.

"Little Rock's crime problem appears to be intensifying," Governor Asa Hutchinson said.

"Every few days it seems a high-profile shooting dominates the news.

"I have spoken this morning with Mayor [Mark] Stodola and I have offered both my heartfelt concern over this senseless violent tragedy and state assets as needed to address the continued threat of violence in our community."

The Mayor said the nightclub's liquor licence had been suspended and the business would be shut down.

'I'm sick of all the killing'

Photo: The entrance of the club has since been cordoned off by police. (AP: Andrew DeMillo)

Local woman Rada Bunch was outside the club early on Saturday, and said she had been told through a friend that her son had been at the club and may have been shot.

She said she was still waiting for information about the incident.

"I'm sick of all the killing and I'm tired of all the shooting, the kids getting hurt," she said.

ABC/wires

Topics: law-crime-and-justice, united-states

First posted July 01, 2017 22:05:23