GUNFIRE erupted at a nightclub hosting a swimsuit-themed party for teens in Florida, leaving two teens dead and at least 17 other people wounded, officials said.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the violence, but Fort Myers police Capt. Jim Mulligan said the shooting was not an act of terror. Police detained three people and said the area around Club Blu had been deemed safe, Mulligan said.

The slain teens were 14-year-old Sean Archilles and 18-year-old rising basketball star Stef’an Strawder, police said. Archilles lived about a kilometre from the nightclub, said his father, Jean Archilles. Archilles said his son loved to play football and basketball.

media_camera Stef’an Strawder, 18, was shot dead. Picture: Facebook media_camera Sean Archilles, 14, died in the shooting. Picture: Family handout

“He liked to make people laugh. He’s a funny kid. He’s always joking,” Jean Archilles said.

He added about the attacker: “When he lays down in his bed, how is he feeling about what he did? A 14-year-old kid! Is he thinking about his family, his friends? Because everybody has family and friends. Does he feel good about himself?”

Four people were in the hospital. Two were in critical condition and two in fair condition, Lee Memorial Health System CEO Lisa Sgarlata said at a news conference. All of the other patients were treated and released. The victims ranged in ages from 12 to 27.

There were two active crime scenes, police said. Several hours later a street in the area remained closed as police investigated.

media_camera Mourners leave teddy bears at a memorial near a wall covered in bullets at Club Blu in Fort Myers, Florida. Picture: Mike Carlson/Getty Images/AFP

media_camera Flowers and stuffed animals are left at the scene of a deadly shooting outside the Club Blu nightclub. Picture: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

The club is in a strip mall that includes a daycare centre and is across the street from a large apartment complex. Officers had the area taped off as crime scene technicians scoured the strip mall parking lot for clues.

State records online show the alcohol license for Club Blu was revoked June 7 because of an incident that occurred a year ago, but there were no additional details available, according to records from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

The same records show that a complaint was filed in 2014 for “criminal activity” and that the club was given an official notice.

media_camera An investigator walks near the scene of a fatal shooting at Club Blu nightclub in Fort Myers, Fla., Monday, July 25, 2016. Picture: AP.

The violence at Club Blu happened about 12:30am local time, just as the club was closing and parents were arriving to pick up their children.

A post on Club Blu’s Facebook page said there was armed security at the event.

“We are deeply sorry for all involved,” the post read. “We tried to give teens what we thought was a safe place to have a good time.”

media_camera Club Blu posted a statement on its Facebook page. Picture: Club Blu Facebook.

The post continued: “There was armed security as well as full security, inside and out. As the club was closing and parents were picking their children up.....that’s when all this took place. There was nothing more we could of done az you see it was not kids at the party that did this despicable act. Our condolences to all parties involved.” (sic).

Locals are in shock, but have told US media outlets at the scene that crime does exist in the area.

The aunt of #ClubBlu victim Timothy Settles says her heart goes out to those killed/injured. Live @9 @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/1BhRzWCsmt — Rodney Dunigan (@rodneydunigan) July 25, 2016

Bleach being poured by the Fort Myers Police Department to clean the Blood stains outside of Club Blu @Fox4Now pic.twitter.com/i7ZSLYWHuQ — Malcolm Johnson (@Malcolmsmedia) July 25, 2016

It comes after police in Florida investigated a shooting that happened early Sunday near a nightclub in downtown Orlando.

Orlando Police say the shooting happened near the Venue 578 nightclub and that three people were injured, one critically. The two other victims had minor injuries.

Mynews13.com is reporting that the fighting started inside the club before it moved outside. Employees told the station that they saw a man fire his gun in the air.

Reports of mass shooting at Club Blu nightclub in Fort Myers, Florida https://t.co/V04FZIRE6P pic.twitter.com/KmpcAoTMJ1 via @RT_America — ARnews 1936 (@ARnews1936) July 25, 2016

A second fight then broke out. Later, more shots were fired in the club’s parking lot. Club officials estimate 600 to 700 people were inside the venue at the time.

Separately, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting at an Orlando convenience store that also happened early Sunday, which left one dead and another in stable condition.

media_camera People embrace after a fatal shooting at Club Blu in Fort Myers, Florida. Picture: Kinfay Moroti/The News-Press via AP

media_camera People are in shock as they stand near Club Blu in Fort Myers, Florida after a shooting. Picture: Kinfay Moroti/The News-Press via AP

Just six weeks ago, an attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, left 49 dead in the worst gun massacre in recent US history.

Police killed the gunman, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old US citizen of Afghan origin, after a three-hour standoff.

That rampage and other recent shootings have renewed debate about gun laws in the United States.

Originally published as Teens gunned down in club shooting