LOS ANGELES - Two Chinese students were shot dead early Wednesday morning in West Adams area near Los Angeles, a city of the US state of California, police said.

The unidentified victims, a male and a female, died from wounds after they were shot after 1 am in the 2700 block of Raymond Ave., near 27th Street outside the University of Southern California ( USC) campus, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said.

Both were in their 20s, and identified as USC students. The girl was an undergraduate, while the male a postgraduate. They were sitting in a brand new BMW in front of the woman's house when they were shot, according to police.

The male tried to make it to a nearby house before he collapsed. Both were transported to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Their names were withheld pending notification of next of kins, LAPD Officer Sara Saden told Xinhua.

Initial reports said that the shooting may have happened during an attempted carjacking, but police say the motive is still unknown.

A male suspect was seen fleeing the area on foot, but no suspect description was immediately available, according to police.

Police were canvassing the area within several blocks, talking to anyone who might have seen anything.

The police also notified the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, and the investigation is underway.