A 12-year-old girl was shot dead in Baltimore, United States, after two men reportedly opened fire during a dispute over a parking space, the police said.

A fight broke out at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday between two men over a parking space in a park where children were playing American football.

The victim was found with gunshot wounds when police arrived at the scene, while three other people were hospitalised with injuries believed to have resulted from the shooting, the police said.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a news conference that no arrest had been made as the search for the two suspects continued.

“What we know is there was some type of argument between two cowards,” Mr Worley said. “They both opened fire on each other. In the crossfire, a 12-year-old little girl, who was probably down there watching football, was shot and killed.”

He said the victim, whose name has not been released by the police, was not the target of the shooting.

“The girl was pronounced dead in hospital. The other three individuals who were injured have non-life-threatening injuries,” Mr Worley said.

Authorities say they are still investigating the shooting and have asked witnesses to bring information to the police.

“Two grown men got into an argument, and now a 12-year-old is gone,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at the news conference.”

He added, “We never should have to say something like that. What happened out here today is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen in my life.”