A clubber has been killed and 15 others injured when gunfire erupted in a crowded Cincinnati nightclub after a dispute among several men.

The victim who died in the incident, which is not believed to be terrorism-related, was 27-year-old O'Bryan Spikes.

Police said four officers were working security in the club's parking lot and some tried unsuccessfully to revive the man who died.

The coroner removed a body shortly after 6am.

On scene Cameo Night Club 4601 Kellogg. 14 victims shot, one victim decreased. pic.twitter.com/yMMlTf5Bcl — Cincinnati Police (@CincyPD) March 26, 2017

Update: Cameo Night Club 15 gun shot victims, 1 deceased. Homicide unit and all available resources are being utilized. Next update after 11 — Cincinnati Police (@CincyPD) March 26, 2017

Authorities asked anyone with information to come forward and investigators were checking to see if surveillance cameras were working.

Cincinnati police chief Eliot Isaac said one of the wounded was in an "extremely critical condition."

All victims have been transported from the scene, more victims are arriving at local hospitals and fire stations, unknown total number pic.twitter.com/p66nOzalHs — Cincinnati News (@CinciNews) March 26, 2017

Two victims were listed as being in a critical condition following the incident at the downtown club where some 200 people were at the time.

Several local men got into a dispute inside the bar which escalated into shots from several individuals, said Mr Isaac, adding that several firearms were got inside despite security.

Five of the injured were treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre and released, said hospital spokeswoman Kelly Martin.

She said two people were in critical condition and another two were listed in a stable condition. The other people injured at the club were taken or drove themselves to other hospitals.

First responders had problems reaching the shooting victims because the parking lots were full.

Police captain Kim Williams said there was "just a lot of chaos, obviously, when shots were fired."

"Saturday night, it is a very young crowd. We have had incidents here in the past, but this is by far the worst."

Mayor John Cranley called the shootings "unacceptable" and said authorities would work to find ways to prevent such violence.

Cameo's Facebook profile said it caters to college students on Friday nights, when anyone over 18 is allowed in, while Saturdays are "grown and sexy night" for ages 21 and older.

The club has a history of gun violence, including a shooting inside the club on New Year's Day in 2015 and one in the parking lot that September, said city manager Harry Black.

The area is mostly industrial but also home to several nightclubs with a smattering of homes. A regional airport is nearby.

The neighbourhood is fairly empty at night, except for the nightlife scene and 24-hour garages.

The road where the club sits was easily cordoned off by a single police cruiser and officer at either end.

15 people confirmed shot one dead at Cameo nightclub cincinnati @CincyPD Police on the scene questioning witnesses @Local12 pic.twitter.com/ZR6nRoOeKl — TR Gormley (@McGingeryBeard) March 26, 2017

Police believe there maybe more than one shooter. Police have found multiple victims in cars around the area @Local12 pic.twitter.com/rRSAKHYbTh — TR Gormley (@McGingeryBeard) March 26, 2017

Ohio governor John Kasich said on Twitter he was "saddened to learn about last night's shooting" and that he was offering the state's assistance.

Hours after the shooting, the suspect was still at large, and police did not have a good description, in part because witnesses were reluctant to cooperate, Williams told WCPO.

PA Media