Three people were killed and at least four others injured in a shooting and multiple car crash on the renowned Las Vegas Strip early Thursday, police said.

The incident started when a gunman in a Range Rover shot at a Maserati in the neon-lit casino and hotel zone in the early hours, Metro Las Vegas Police Sergeant John Sheahan said.

The Maserati driver, who was hit by gunfire, lost control of the vehicle and struck several cars, including a taxi that burst into flames. The Maserati driver and two people aboard the taxi were killed.

Amateur footage shown by local ABC affiliate KTNV showed a taxi and at least one other vehicle in flames.

The Range Rover, described in television news reports as black in color, fled the scene. Sheahan said police were reviewing surveillance footage to try to identify it.

A passenger aboard the Maserati and at least two other people were injured and taken to hospital. Three other vehicles were struck and at least two more people were at the hospital being treated for other injuries, Sheahan said.

Detectives were trying to piece together what preceded the shooting.

"They're working on finding the genesis of what kicked this off," he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Earlier, Sheahan told local media that the incident was a "rolling gun-battle," but he later clarified that no shots were fired from the Maserati.