WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A shooting in U.S. state of Virginia left three people dead and four injured, local police said Monday.

The shooting took place in Louisa County in central Virginia Sunday afternoon. County Sheriff Investigator Major Donald Lowe identified the gunman as 52-year-old Charles P. "Zeke" Steadman Sponaugle Sr. at a news conference Monday.

Lowe said Sponaugle shot dead his own son and a nephew, while wounding four relatives including his wife. One of the wounded, a nephew, suffers life-threatening injuries. The injured were taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center.

State police believe the deadly dispute happened because of an argument over rights to a piece of property worth some 25,000 U.S. dollars. Police arrived at Sponaugle's mobile home after receiving a 911 call for a shooting. The suspect began firing a gun at deputies and also released a pit bull to attack them. He was shot dead by officers.

Officers say they've responded to problems at the home before.