ANKARA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and six others injured in a gun attack at a restaurant in Turkiye's southern province of Mersin on Monday, local media reported.

The attack took place at midday in the Tarsus district when a suspect armed with a pump-action shotgun opened fire at a restaurant operated by two brothers with whom he allegedly had a prior dispute, according to local broadcaster NTV.

One of the restaurant owners was pronounced dead at the scene, while three other victims, a restaurant employee, a customer and a nearby shepherd, later died in the hospital despite medical effort. The shepherd was reportedly grazing animals near the restaurant at the time of the shooting and was struck by pellets. Health and police teams were dispatched to the site following a tip-off.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals by ambulance. Police launched a manhunt for the suspect, identified by NTV as Metin O., who fled the scene after the attack. An investigation into the incident is underway.