Baltimore police have asked for the public’s help identifying a group of people seen in the area of a shooting at Morgan State University that left five people injured.

Police have released surveillance video that shows several people walking in a grassy area. They are seeking the identities of “persons of interest” in Tuesday night’s shooting.

Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at least two people opened fire during a dispute between two groups at the university’s homecoming events, but the victims were likely not the attackers’ intended targets.

Preliminary evidence indicates the gunmen were targeting one person, who was not among the victims, Mr Worley said. All five are expected to survive.

Mr Worley said a third person also pulled out a gun during the dispute, though it was not clear whether they pulled the trigger. He said ballistics testing will reveal how many gunmen were ultimately involved.

The updates from police helped quell rumors circulating online about whether the attack was racially motivated or a planned school shooting on the historically black university campus in northeast Baltimore.

The shooting unfolded around 9.30pm, shortly after a coronation ceremony for this year’s Mister and Miss Morgan State in the campus auditorium. Attendees were walking from the auditorium to the student centre for a coronation ball, which was about to begin when gunfire sent people scattering in fear.

The gunshot victims — four men and one woman — are between ages 18 and 22. Four are Morgan State students.

No arrests have been made yet.