LOS ANGELES — A gunbattle at a restaurant in Los Angeles left three people dead and 12 others wounded early Saturday.

“It’s a bloody scene with shell casings everywhere,” Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Frank Preciado said.

There were about 50 people inside the restaurant, Dilly’s, in the city’s West Adams district when an argument broke out, Preciado said.

Three men left the restaurant, returned with guns and began shooting at another group. Others at the restaurant also opened fire, and some diners were caught in the crossfire, Preciado said.

The shooting continued in the driveway of the restaurant, which is in a converted house.

“When we got there, there were three people dead and people running everywhere,” Preciado said.

Police officers from across Los Angeles were sent to the scene, which Preciado called “really devastating.”

Police took into custody two “persons of interest” — a man and a women — but were looking for other suspects. A gun was also found at the scene, Preciado said.

Some of the wounded were taken by ambulance to hospitals, while others drove themselves, authorities said.

“The injured are scattered across Los Angeles hospitals.” Preciado said.

Deputy Chief Bill Scott, head of the LAPD’s South bureau, said his officers were still trying to piece together what happened.

“This is real tragic. We have a lot of sorting out to do. When the shooting started, everyone scattered,” he said. “Our detectives are getting a better picture of what unfolded.”

A motive for the shootings remained unclear.

Blair Hamilton, who lives a block from the restaurant, said he heard what he estimated were about 20 gunshots. He said he came out of his house and saw people “running every which way.”

“Total chaos,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said he saw an older woman sitting on the curb with a bloodied face. Two other women sat next to her, at least one whom also appeared to be injured, he said.