Police: 3rd person dies after barbershop shooting
By COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press
Nov 7, 2013 6:47 AM CST
People stand outside a barber shop, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 in Detroit. Gunfire broke out Wednesday evening at a Detroit barbershop known for gambling activity, leaving at least two men dead, police say. (AP Photo/Detroit News, Elizabeth Conley) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT   (Associated Press)

Police say a third person has died following a shooting at a Detroit barbershop known for gambling that wounded several other people.

Sgt. Mike Woody tells The Associated Press on Thursday morning the third person died at a hospital, but he didn't immediately have additional details.

Shots erupted Wednesday evening outside Al's Barber Shop on the city's east side.

Police earlier said 10 people had been struck, including two who were inside the shop and died. Woody said Thursday morning the total shot was nine.

A news conference is planned for later Thursday.

Police Chief James Craig earlier said officers are "not sure if this was over a bad debt." Police have been looking for at least two people believed to have carried out the shooting.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

A Detroit barbershop where two men were fatally shot is known for gambling but it's not clear whether that had anything to do with the gunfire, police say.

Shots erupted Wednesday evening outside Al's Barber Shop on the city's east side, and in the end, 10 people had been struck including the two who were inside the shop and died, police said.

"We're not sure if this was over a bad debt. We have no idea," Police Chief James Craig said after the shooting. "We know it's a barbershop and gambling has occurred in this location."

The number of people believed shot had been nine, but police spokeswoman Kelly Miner said late Wednesday that officers learned the total was 10 after further investigation.

Police said two cars pulled up and people inside the vehicles started shooting at each other.

"Somehow someone shot into the building, and that's when people rushed out of the building and were running into other area businesses for cover," Miner said earlier Wednesday night.

Craig said those who were shooting "engaged a couple of victims" before "several shots were fired." He said it's not known if any of the victims fired back.

Police were looking for at least two people believed to have carried out the shooting, Miner said.

Craig said they also were trying to locate two vehicles that they think the shooters might have been using: a 2004 white Chevrolet Impala that possibly has a broken window and bullet holes in the back, and a 2004 black Impala.

Lorne Carter told the Detroit Free Press that he was smoking a cigarette against the wall of a nearby business when he heard what sounded like 30 to 40 shots.

"It sounded rapid," Carter said.

The barbershop is in a strip mall along a major road. Nearby businesses include a Chinese restaurant, auto repair shops and a convenience store.

Miner said police would continue to interview witnesses late Wednesday.

After the shooting, Elaine Williams waited behind yellow crime tape that police had used to cordon off several blocks around the scene. Her 29-year-old son had gone to the barbershop for a haircut, and she was frantic, The Detroit News reported.

"Help me find my son," Williams cried.

___

Associated Press writer David N. Goodman contributed to this report.

See 2 more photos