LOCAL : Van Nuys Teen Shot, Critically Injured; Gang Fight Suspected

A Van Nuys teen-ager was in extremely critical condition today after being shot during what investigators believe was a gang-related dispute in his back yard, Los Angeles police reported.

William Segovia, 16, was being treated for a chest wound at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, officials said.

Detective Jim Vojtecky said Segovia was found in his back yard in the 13900 block of Roscoe Boulevard about 9:50 p.m. Sunday. The detective said Segovia, a known gang member, was believed to have been shot during a dispute with other gang members, but the exact motivation was not known.

There were no suspects in the shooting. Police were attempting to determine if the shooting was related to a rash of gang drive-by shootings last week at schools and parks in the mid-San Fernando Valley, but so far there was no known connection, Vojtecky said.