QUITO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were killed in a shooting that occurred in the northwestern Ecuadorian province of Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas on Sunday morning, said local media.

Several gunmen in black arrived at a billiard hall early Sunday in Santo Domingo, capital of the province, and opened fire on people present, according to a media report.

Local police cordoned off the crime scene after the incident. An initial investigation showed the deceased included a retired police officer and a suspected criminal gang leader nicknamed "Rasta."

Located between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific coast and in the intersection of multiple drug trafficking routes, the province has seen frequent violent cases caused by gang conflicts. ■