4 killed in Brazil drive-by shooting

RIO DE JANEIRO -- At least four people were killed and another seven injured in a drive-by shooting outside a bar, local authorities said Monday.

The incident occurred late Sunday in Sao Goncalo, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, where assailants opened fire from inside a vehicle at a crowd of people at a party, according to a report released by the Brazil City Fire Department.

Two victims were killed on the spot and two died in hospital, while seven others were taken to nearby clinics, the report said.

After the shooting, the gunmen's vehicle stopped in front of another bar minutes later and robbed clients of mobiles and other belongings, but left no casualties, Brazil's G1 news website said.

The motive for the crime is still unclear. Local police said they are investigating whether it was a dispute among drug traffickers, though survivors said the gathering was held with friends and family.