A shootout at a nightclub in Greenville, SC, on Sunday morning left two people dead and eight injured, officials said.
Some of the injured were seriously injured, although it is unclear how many, said Lt. Jimmy Bolt, a spokesman for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
A sheriff’s deputy spotted people “running and dodging” outside the club, the Lavish Lounge, at around 2 am as he headed for an unrelated call, Lieutenant Bolt said. About 200 people were at the club at the time of the shooting, he said.
The deputy asked for reinforcements and the authorities entered the club to find several victims of gunshots. It was not clear whether the shots were still being fired when authorities entered the building, said the lieutenant.
The nightclub had announced on its Instagram account a show on Saturday night with rapper Foogiano.
The rapper and Lavish Lounge representatives were not immediately available for comment on Sunday morning.
The dead were identified as Clarence S. Johnson, 56, of Duncan, SC, and Mykala Bell, 23, of Greenville. Both died at Greenville Memorial Hospital with gunshot wounds, said the Greenville County coroner’s office.
Authorities said they were looking for two people they did not publicly identify in connection with the shooting. It was unclear what led to the shooting, but officials were considering the show as part of their investigation, said Lieutenant Bolt.
Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, has ordered nightclubs and concert halls to remain closed because of the coronavirus and has not yet allowed them to reopen, although the state has lifted restrictions on stores, gyms and bowling alleys. Lieutenant Bolt said it is possible that the club appealed that order.