Three people have died and several others were injured after a shooter opened fire from a boat at a crowded waterfront bar in Southport, North Carolina, officials say.

The attack happened on Saturday evening outside the American Fish Company at the Southport Yacht Basin.

City spokesperson ChyAnn Ketchum said a boat pulled up to the dock around 21:30 local time (01:30 GMT) before the attacker opened fire. The assailant then fled by boat towards the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Officials said a suspect matching the description was arrested half an hour later by the US Coast Guard in nearby Oak Island, around 12 miles (19km) west of the scene.

The suspect's identity has not been released by the police.

Southport Police Chief Todd Coring described the incident as "a very tragic night" for the community.

The town is home to just under 4,000 people. "We're a small community, one of the communities where everybody knows everybody," Chief Coring said.

He said that possibly six people were injured, who are now being treated in hospital. The deceased have not been identified by the police.

The incident prompted officials in Southport to issue a statement urging people to remain in their homes while an active shooter investigation was ongoing.

"I'm comfortable to say that we don't feel like there's any additional threats to the community," Chief Coring said after.