LA GRANGE, N.C. -- Three people are dead and another was injured after a shooting early Sunday morning.

The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office says it happened around 1:15 a.m. on West Queen Street in La Grange.

Deputies have not released any names yet.

The pastor of nearby St. James Church of Christ says this is the first time anything like this has happened in the neighborhood.

"When we got here, we found out exactly what they told us was happening," said Pastor John Ruffin. "They had the crime tape out and everyone had to take a different route to get to the church this morning."

In a statement, the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office said, "Our prayers go out to the victims' families for their loss. We're in the beginning stages of this investigation, and detectives are working to piece together information gathered at the scene."