"According to preliminary information, there was a fight between several people, following which shots were fired," the ministry said, adding that authorities were alerted at around 3 p.m. local time.

A 48-year-old man died at the scene and two others, aged 22 and 41, were injured, Xinhua news agency quoted the ministry as saying.

Interior Ministry Secretary General Dimitar Kangaldzhiev later told reporters at the scene that the conflict broke out at a pawn shop when three men attacked it. Three pawn shop employees were there, he said.

One of the attackers was killed and another was wounded, Kangaldzhiev said. The second person injured was a pawn shop employee, he said.

He said two guns were found at the scene and investigation was ongoing.