LOS ANGELES - The death toll from a Wednesday shooting in Southern California has climbed to eight after two people died in hospital, while one person is still in a critical condition.

The shooting took place around 1:30 pm local time (2030 GMT) at Salon Meritage in Seal Beach, Southern California, when a shooter went into the salon and opened fire. The victims were identified as employees or customers at the salon.

The suspect, a white American man, was arrested shortly after the shooting.

Local authorities told a press conference later in the day the officers identified the suspect's vehicle as it was leaving the location and took the driver into custody. Multiple weapons were seized from the car the suspect was driving.

But the police have not commented so far on possible motives for the shooting. An investigation was continuing, authorities said.

Witnesses familiar with employees at the salon said the suspect was involved in a domestic dispute - possibly a custody fight - with one of the stylists, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, this could not be confirmed by police.

The crime scene has been sealed off but people brought flowers and candles and placed them on the lawn outside to mourn the victims in the tragedy.

Seal Beach is normally a safe and quiet place and the shooting has shocked many locals.

Resident Bob Mcintlye told Xinhua he thought it was horrible. "This is the nicest, quietest community you can ever imagine, nothing bad has ever happened here. This is really a shock when I heard about it. It is a real tragedy."