Police were searching Sunday for a suspect or suspects who opened fire during a private dance party in south Tacoma, leaving eight young people wounded and a massive crime scene, authorities said.

All of the victims who were hurt are expected to survive after they were rushed to three local hospitals for treatment by private cars and ambulances, police said.

The identities of the victims were not immediately released, and their conditions ranged from minor to serious, according to officials. Police said all of the victims ranged in age from 17 to 22.

Investigators closed S. Tacoma Way between S. 56th and S. 58th streets as they searched for clues among the shattered glass and bullet casings that littered the area.

Police Officer Wendy Haddow, a spokesperson for the department, said the shooting occurred before 1 a.m. in the alleyway behind a dance party held at a private venue near 54th Street and S. Tacoma Way.

"Officers arrived to a very chaotic scene,” she said. “A private venue was hosting a [dance party] and an argument broke out and shots were fired.”

Video taken by a user on their iPhone and posted to social media showed several victims being tended to by paramedics as they sat or lay on the street. Other event goers were seen walking or standing around looking dazed or in unbelief.

Dispatchers at the city's 911 center began receiving calls around 12:45 a.m. after an argument in an alley behind the venue at S. 54th Street and Tacoma erupted into gunfire.

It was not clear if the victims knew the person who shot them or if there were multiple shooters, police said.

Several witnesses were being questioned by police, according to investigators.

Police said a large crowd was at the rave when the dispute outside ended in gunfire. Investigators have not said what led to the dispute.

Police advised motorists to avoid the area because of the police investigation and street closures. As of 9 a.m. Sunday, S. Tacoma Way remained closed for the investigation.

Tai Jackson, who works at a barbershop just down the street from the crime scene, said the shooting weighs heavily on this stretch of South Tacoma Way where there are blocks of family-owned and community-friendly businesses.

“It’s sad to see this is what’s happening in our community right now,” she said. “It’s just terrible.”

A customer who wants to stay anonymous was at home a few blocks away when he said he heard at least 10 loud pops.

“This was the first time I ever heard that many,” he said.

Just across the street from the crime scene stands a makeshift memorial where a man was shot to death in a separate incident last month.

Police still have not arrested a suspect in that case.

"52nd to 56th (is) fun in (the) day, deadly at night," the customer said. "So, that’s how I feel about it."

Hours after the shooting, hearts were heavy for the shooting victims as they recover, and for those making a living here who say the gun violence continues to impact the whole community.

Gun violence has "definitely played a toll on not just the people who live here but the shops and businesses as well," Jackson said. "People are eventually going to be scared to come to certain areas."