Eight people were killed and another critically wounded when a gunman opened fire in a crowded hair salon in Seal Beach, California, US.

8 killed in Southern Calif. shooting

The shooting?occurred at 1:30 p.m. local time (2030 GMT) at Salon Meritage about 48 kilometers south of downtown Los Angeles, local media reported.

Six of the victims were killed at the scene of the shooting, while two others who were critically wounded later died at area hospitals. Both the dead and the wounded were identified as employees or customers at the salon.

The suspect, a white male who is believed to be a lone shooter, was taken into custody by police some 800 meters from the scene, police spokesman Steve Bowles said.

Bystanders also saw officers removing multiple guns from the van.

Details of the shooting, including a motive, were not immediately clear.

Salon employee Lorainne Bruielle, who wasn't working Wednesday, told the Long Beach Press-Telegram the gunman was the husband of another employee.

Authorities did not reveal the name of the suspect although a investigation is going on.