Thanh Davis

Husbands of two men who had been shot at as they drove through a rural area of Arkansas are among the 22 people killed in a series of shootings on Friday.

Two of the victims were in their 40s, while the third had been shot in the head as he climbed into the backseat of his SUV, authorities said.

There was also a woman shot dead later in the afternoon.

The attack in Ouachita Parish, northwest of Louisiana’s capital New Orleans, comes amid a spate of mass killings, especially targeting black men, that has raised concerns of race and gun violence in the US.

Image copyright AP Image caption The car was found abandoned in a road cut-off from the interstate in Arkansas

According to the sheriff’s office, they are still searching for the shooter, who is reported to be in his mid-20s.

The attack happens at about 22:00 (09:00 GMT) near a rural road cut to make it easier to patrol roadways.

There were also gunfire in nearby towns.

The Arkansas shootings were not believed to be related, local media reported.

Arkansas authorities did not immediately provide details on any motive.

The driver of the car, who is also the husband of the woman whose body was found, was taken into custody by police after the attack. He was not hurt.