PRETORIA (South Africa) — Fourteen people were shot dead and three more are in critical condition following an attack by unknown gunmen at a Soweto tavern.

Police say they are investigating reports that a group arrived in a minibus taxi to start shooting at patrons late Saturday night.

According to Colonel Dimakatso Sello, South African Police, a group of men with rifles and 9mm pistols entered the Tavern and began shooting at patrons inside.

Sello stated that 23 people were killed in the shooting, with 12 others being declared dead at the scene. Sello stated that 11 more people were taken to nearby hospitals, where two additional were later declared dead.

Police opened 14 murder cases and nine attempted murder cases.

Lieutenant General Elias Mawela from Gauteng Province Provincial Police said that the number and type of cartridges on the scene suggested that it was a group who shot at patrons.

Mawela stated to The Associated Press that “the primary investigation suggests these people were enjoying themselves hier, in a licensed tavern operated within the proper hours.”

“All of a sudden, they heard gunshots. That is when people tried running out of the tavern. He said that we don’t know the exact motive and the reason they were targeting these people at this time.

“You can clearly see that a high-caliber firearm was used, and it was firing randomly. Mawela said that you can clearly see that all those people were trying to escape the tavern.

Two weeks ago, 21 teens were killed in an East London tavern. Officials have not revealed the cause of these deaths, but officials say that the teens were not killed or crushed in a stampede.