Seven people, including ten-year-old girl shot dead by gunman

A massive police hunt is under way for a man suspected of shooting dead seven people, including a ten-year-old girl.

Rodrick Dantzler, 34, is suspected of shooting five women, one man and the child in two separate rampages in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this afteoon.

Dantzler lived at the location where three of the victims - two women and the young girl - were found dead, according to the Grand Rapids Press.

Dantzler had been involved with one of the women gunned down.

A friend also informed the paper the killings stemmed from 'domestic issues.'

Another three women and a man were found dead at another address nearby.

Dantzler is black, 6'2" and weighs 260lbs, according to police.

'We consider him armed and dangerous,' Sergeant Jon Wu of the Grand Rapids police said confirming the fatalities and saying that a city wide manhunt was under way, involving state troopers and helicopters.

Family members said Dantzler had been recently released from prison and was very distraught.

He may also be bipolar and off his medication, according to local media reports.

Police feared the suspect could be in a vehicle trying to make his way to Detroit.

In a high speed car chase police tracked the suspect down U.S. 131 before he moved on I-96 - often driving the wrong way down the highway.

The suspect's vehicle then crashed after his tyres were shot. He escaped on foot but not before a bystander was hit amid the chase.

Dantzler was last last seen heading into an apartment near Soft Water Lake at around 7.20pm.

Three shots were heard.

Police said Dantzler is suspected of fleeing the both scenes in a tan Lincoln Town Car, potentially with a female companion.

The occupants of that car exchanged gunfire with another car in a related incident later on, police added.

No one was killed in that exchange.

More follows.