13 Oct 2011

Eight shot dead at California hair salon

8:43 pm on 13 October 2011

Eight people have been shot dead at a hair salon in the United States.

Police say the shooting took place in the city of Seal Beach, California, in a retail area off the Pacific Coast Highway.

Six people were initially confirmed dead, while two others died later of their injuries and one remains in a critical condition, the BBC reports.

Police say they have a suspect in custody after arresting a man nearby. Multiple weapons were also seized.

The shooting occurred about 1.30pm local time at a hair salon called Salon Meritage and the suspect was arrested as he was leaving the scene in a vehicle.

Seal Beach is a beach front city of approximately 25,000 residents, located 48km south-east of Los Angeles.

It is home to a gated senior citizen community of 9000 people, as well as the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station military complex and a national wildlife refuge.