Police were looking for two men who fled the scene in separate vehicles.

"The location historically is known as a place where gambling took place so we're not sure if this was over bad debt, we have no idea," Detroit Police Chief James Craig told reporters.

"Our investigation is still very early and still continuing."

The suspects "engaged a couple victims" and several shots were fired inside the barber shop. Craig said some of the victims may have shot back.

Craig initially told reporters that three people were pronounced dead at the scene but local media said that number had been downgraded to two.

Detroit police did not immediately return requests for confirmation.

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