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Police in northern California are searching for at least one suspect who gunned down three people and wounded four others Tuesday night in an apparent drive-by shooting outside of a convenience store.

When officers arrived outside the Madison Market in Stockton just before 8:30 p.m. PT one of the seven victims — a 27-year-old woman — was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a release early Wednesday.

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Two others — a 24-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman — died at the hospital. The rest of the victims — four males ages 24, 25, 32 and 34 — were taken to area hospitals and are expected to survive, police said.

Authorities didn't immediately release the identities of the victims or details of their injuries.

Stockton police spokesman Joseph Silva said the shooting took place in an area known for drugs and gang activity.

"The preliminary investigation indicated this was a drive-by shooting and possibly has some type of gang component due to the area," Stockton police said.

After the shooting, homicide and gang detectives were on the scene and set up a one-block perimeter around the convenience store.

Police are asking for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600.

SHOOTING UPDATE: This is now a triple homicide. — Stockton Police Dept (@StocktonPolice) March 18, 2015

SHOOTING UPDATE: It appears the other 4 victims will survive their injuries. — Stockton Police Dept (@StocktonPolice) March 18, 2015

— Andrew Blankstein and Richie Duchon