Marijuana operation shooting, 7 people dead after shooting at suspected California

 Marijuana operation shooting, 7 people dead after shooting at suspected California.

Seven people were found shot dead at an illegal marijuana growing operation in rural Southern California early Monday, authorities said.

Riverside County sheriff's deputies responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon at a home in the 45000 block of Highway 37, in the unincorporated area of Aguanga, just after 12:30am.

Upon entering the home, deputies discovered a woman with severe gunshot wounds. 

A search of the residence revealed six additional victims, who had also suffered gunshot wounds. They were all pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman, meanwhile, was taken to hospital but, ‘despite life-saving efforts’, died shortly after arriving, police said.

Investigators said evidence at the scene indicated that the residence was being used to ‘manufacture and harvest an illicit marijuana operation.’

More than 1,000 pounds of marijuana and several hundred marijuana plants were found inside the home, the sheriff’s department said.

It was unclear if more than one shooter was involved in the incident. A search of the area failed to immediately locate suspects.

An investigation is currently underway and no further information was immediately available, Cpl. Lionel Murphy of the Sheriff’s Department said.