NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- Several people were shot at a gay bar in New Bedford early Thursday morning and police are now searching for a suspect they identified as Jacob D. Robida, 18, of New Bedford.

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that at least three people were injured, and one of them suffered serious injuries, when a man walked into the bar around midnight, attacked several patrons with a hatchet and then opened fire with a handgun. There were about 18 patrons in the establishment at the time.

It happened at Puzzle's Lounge at 426 North Front Street, a bar connected to a small multi-family home.

Police said the armed man walked in to the lounge, ordered a drink, and asked if it was a gay bar. He then attacked several men who were playing pool in the back, swinging at them with a hatchet before eventually firing a gun and fleeing. He is still at large. The lounge bartender said the man wore a hood over his face.

"Three people total shot. Two of them were attacked with a hatchet as well. If it was up to me to determine what his motive was, it was a hate crime because his intentions were to confirm that it was a gay bar. Never spoke to anybody in there, he's never been in the bar before. And five minutes afterward, he starts attacking everybody," said the bartender, who asked to be identified only as Phillip.

Police were investigating reports that the attack was a hate crime.

Robida was described as a short, stocky white man with dark hair. He was last seen driving a green 1999 Pontiac Grand Am with Massachusetts plates 85E-C58. He is considered armed and dangerous,

Two of the wounded men were taken to Boston hospitals. A third man was treated at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. One man suffered several deep cuts to his head. Two other victims were shot in the torso.

Anyone with information should contact the New Bedford Police detective division at 508-991-6320 or the anonymous tip line at 508-961-4584.

NewsCenter 5 will have live updates on this story as details become available.