Emergency services rushed to the scene, with 15 police cars in the street, two ambulances, a trauma helicopter, and several police officers, according to a PvdA member from the city. Many local residents also rushed out on the street as panic ensued. The city has been partially closed off.
No exact details of the shooting were immediately available and it is unclear if there have been any fatalities.
Dutch broadcaster NOS said the shooting was at a home in the city.
Police officers have not confirmed reports from local media that three people have been killed.
The police said in a tweet: “At a shooting incident on the #heimerstein in #Dordrecht several victims have fallen.
“We are present with many people and are investigating what happened.”
Mayor Wouter Kolff also wrote there had been a “very serious” incident.
He said: “Earlier tonight a very serious shooting incident occurred in Dordrecht.
“I am very touched and sympathise enormously with everyone involved.
“Later tonight I will go to the Heimerstein.”
Dordrecht is a city and municipality in the Western Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland.
It is the fifth-largest city of the province after Rotterdam, The Hague, Zoetermeer and Leiden, and has a population of 118,450 people.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.