Five teenagers are being treated for gunshot wounds in an Indianapolis hospital after gunfire erupted at a St Patrick’s night party.

The five were injured as they celebrated the Irish festival along the city’s Downtown Canal.

Indianapolis Public Safety Director Frank Straub told reporters that the shooting happened along the canal near New York and West streets on the west side of Downtown.

“The shots were fired from a vehicle and that car was then stopped by police,” said Straub.

Local reports say the gunfire sent people rushing from the area and created a logjam of traffic Downtown.

Local police spokeswoman Sgt. Linda Jackson confirmed that one person is in ‘critical’ condition and the others are in serious condition.

Jackson also said that three people were taken to Riley Hospital for Children, and two were sent to Wishard Memorial Hospital.

“One of the victims at Riley Hospital is in critical condition,” she said.
“The victims are somewhere between early teens and 17, 18.”

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, Indianapolis Fire Department and State Police officials all attended the scene.