Three men, including a 19-year-old, were killed and nine other people were injured early Sunday when a dispute inside a crowded New York City nightclub erupted into a shooting incident that police said appeared to have involved multiple gunmen firing dozens of shots.

Around four shooters opened fire at a New York City restaurant early Sunday, resulting in three deaths and eight injuries. According to police, the violence is gang-related.

Within minutes, officers arrived at 903 Franklin Avenue, finding that nine men and three women, ranging in age from 19 to 61, had been shot. Three men died. One man, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other men, 27 and 35, were critically wounded and succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

A fatal Crown Heights shooting prompted New York City mayoral candidates to clash over crime policies as city grapples with recent surge in gun violence incidents.