An older sister of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams was shot dead and sheriff's deputies had surrounded a house in a Los Angeles suburb where three suspects were barricaded, authorities said.

Yetunde Price, 31, was shot shortly after midnight in Compton following a "confrontation" with some residents, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Butler said.

Deputies heard several gunshots and went to the scene, Butler said. He did not have other details. No arrests were immediately made.

Price, of Corona, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Around 6am about 40 deputies surrounded a home where three people believed to be involved were barricaded, Deputy Richard Pena said.

Price was one of five Williams sisters who spent their early years in Compton. The family later moved to Florida.

Price was identified as a registered nurse and a business management major in the 2003 media guide for the WTA Tour.

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