LOS ANGELES -- Two people were killed and six others wounded in a mass shooting early Monday in downtown Los Angeles, the US state of California, local authorities said.

The incident occurred around 1 am (0800 GMT) near 14th Place and Griffith Avenue, where several parties were underway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

LAPD officers spotted someone entering what they believed was an unauthorized gathering of over 50 people late Sunday night. Officers shut down the party and arrested one attendee for gun possession.

A few hours later, police returned to the same location after reports of gunfire and found eight people shot. A man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 52-year-old woman died later in hospital.

The six injured victims, aged between 26 and 62, included two in critical condition, police said.

Authorities have not announced any arrests or identified a possible motive. The investigation is underway.