Local US media reported that at least 12 people were injured in a shooting at a nightclub in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The shooting occurred at 01:30 am local time (07:30 GMT) on Sunday, according to the WAFB television channel, quoting police.

According to WAFB, three of the twelve people injured lie in critical condition at the hospital following the incident.

"I have requested several community organizations reach out and provide victims and their families with necessary services and ongoing support to help ensure there are no retaliations from this event. We will not stop our work until everyone feels safe and individuals no longer turn to guns to resolve their differences," East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said as quoted by WAFB.

The shooting's motive is being investigated, and authorities have not given any information about probable suspects.

It is worth noting that the shooting in Louisiana’s capital happened only a few hours after a gunman killed 10 and injured 10 others at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California following a Lunar New Year celebration.

The two instances raise the total number of mass shootings this year to 34, as per Gun Violence Archive. A mass shooting is defined by the organization as four or more individuals injured or killed, not including the shooter.

It is worth noting that mass shootings have shocked the country on numerous occasions, reigniting debate on gun control, a contentious cultural issue that has made little progress in US Congress.

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