Detroit Barbershop Shooting Leaves Three Dead

A man found by police wearing body armour has been arrested for questioning in the deadly shooting at a Detroit barbershop.

Three people were killed and several more wounded in the Wednesday evening shooting at Al's Barber Shop on the city's east side.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said a man wearing body armour was arrested on unrelated felony charges in suburban Rochester.

"Police wear body armour. Why would a community member be driving around in body armour?" Chief Craigs said.

The chief declined to identify the suspect, but said the man is a convicted felon and "person of interest" in the shootings.

Police earlier said they were looking for at least two suspects and two vehicles: a 2004 black Chevrolet Impala and a 2004 white Impala that possibly has a broken window and bullet holes in the back.

Authorities said two cars pulled up outside the barbershop at about 6pm and people inside the vehicles exchanged gunfire.

Shot were then fired into the barbershop, where people were playing dice, police said.

Chief Craig said someone shot a high-powered rifle through an open door into a backroom, striking nine.

Police spokeswoman Kelly Miner said two men were killed inside the barbershop.

A third person died in hospital hours later.

Chief Craig said 20 to 30 people were "engaged in gambling activities" inside the shop, and that he believes the shooting was the result of "an ongoing feud".

"Officers were able to develop information that there was an ongoing feud between a particular individual and several members of the gambling party," he said.

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," Mr Carter said.

Detroit is among America's most violent cities, and authorities have been looking for ways to reduce the rate of homicides and other violent crimes.

"It's a tragic situation," said Chief Craig.

"You know, I have been talking about the fact that we've been driving down violent crime and I'm optimistic we are going to find these violent predators and bring them into custody."