Two men are dead and three other people are in hospital after an overnight shooting in Chinatown, police say.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m. on Sunday outside the New Ho King restaurant on Spadina Avenue near Nassau Street.

Paramedics pronounced one man dead at the scene and another was transported to hospital in life-threatening condition where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A third man suffered serious injuries. Det.-Sgt. Mike Carbone said two other victims were taken to hospital with unknown injuries.

Carbone said investigators have yet to talk to witnesses and determine a motive for the crime.

No suspect information has been released.

Spadina Avenue is closed between College and  Dundas streets for the investigation.

Carbone asked that anyone with information about the shooting contact police at 4169-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Spike in gun crime 'clearly a trend': union head

The head of the union representing Toronto police officers said Saturday’s “brazen” shooting is yet another example of the worrying spike in gun crime in the city.

"We’ve been talking about this for a long time. We’ve been saying that there is an increase in gun violence. This is not a blip, these are not isolated incidents. This is clearly a trend," said Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack.

The union head said more police resources are needed to address the increase in violent crime.

As of Jan. 25, the total number of shootings in Toronto is up 100 per cent compared to the same time in 2015. The number of shootings involving injury or death is up nearly 70 per cent, from 13 to 22.