Washington ? A drive-by shooting killed three people and wounded six others in the nation’s capital Tuesday night, and three people were in custody, officials said.

A gunman sprayed bullets “into a crowd,” said Police Chief Cathy Lanier. The shootings of six men and three women happened about 7:30 p.m. around the 4000 block of South Capitol Street in the southeastern part of the city, said D.C. Police Department spokesman Officer Hugh Carew. Fire Department spokesman Pete Piringer says all were in their 20s and 30s, except for one teenager.

One victim died at the scene, one was dead on arrival at the hospital, and the third died in the operating room, said Carolyn Hammond, spokeswoman for Washington Hospital Center. She said a fourth person was in critical condition late Tuesday.

Three people were arrested and a weapon was recovered, according to police who said they had no motive. The Washington Post reported that police pursued a van from the scene, aided by a helicopter.