7 shot, hurt at California nightclub holding Halloween party

Seven people were shot and wounded early this morning during a Halloween party at a Riverside nightclub.

Riverside police say the shooting was reported at a nightclub called Sevilla that had promoted a weekend of Halloween-themed events, including a Sunday night rap show billed as "The First Purge" or "The Purge Election Year."

Police say two victims found by officers inside the nightclub were taken to a hospital for treatment. Five other victims later arrived at local hospitals with gunshot wounds.

Police Watch Commander Sgt. Ryan Wilson says one of the victims' wounds were life-threatening.

One witness who didn’t want to be identified told KTLA-TV that he was dancing when gunshots rang out. He said he saw multiple people firing guns and that there was a bottleneck of people trying to get out of the exit as he hid behind the bar and prayed.

A department spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback says the initial police investigation shows that a fight broke out at the club and those involved began exchanging gunfire both inside and outside.

He says investigators are looking into whether the shooting was gang-related.