Suge Knight -- Shot Multiple Times After VMA Party Turns Violent

5:45 AM PT -- Suge is out of surgery … according to family sources. We're told Suge was shot 6 times. He's currently in ICU, but is expected to recover.

Shots rang out at 1OAK nightclub in West Hollywood at around 1:30 AM Sunday ... and Suge Knight was shot twice and taken to the hospital by ambulance where he was rushed into surgery ... eyewitnesses and Suge's family tell TMZ.

A source close to Suge tells us ... he was shot in the stomach and arm and apparently in other places as well.

Tyson Beckford, Robert Ri'chard and Apple de Ap all tell TMZ ... they were inside the pre-VMA party hosted by Chris Brown when they heard 4 shots ring out inside the club.

Suge walked out on his own power ... a cop spotted him and walked the rap mogul to the police car where Suge sat. Suge was then put in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital.

We do not know the seriousness of Suge's injuries. Multiple sources now tell us Suge was one of 3 people who were shot. At least 1 is in critical condition. Sheriff's deputies had guns drawn as clubgoers exited with their hands in the air right after the shooting.

The night started with tension. An hour-and-a-half before the shots, Game came to the club and he and his buddies got into an altercation with security guards ... there was a full-on fight. Game tried to get in, was denied and left, but his buddies stayed behind. We do not know if they were involved in the altercation.

MTV wanted to make it clear ... it wasn't their party ... it's was Chris Brown's.