The upbeat mood in a busy Chicago neighborhood known for its restaurants and nightlife quickly turned into horror late Wednesday as shots were fired at a crowd from a fast-moving vehicle, killing four people.

Gunfire from a passing car ripped into a crowd of partygoers in the River North neighborhood, the police said.

At least four people were killed and 14 others injured in a drive-by shooting outside a Chicago nightclub, police said. Chicago Police said a dark-coloured car drove past the club around 23:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Wednesday, when gunmen inside the vehicle opened fire into a crowd of people outside.