7 Wounded in Drive-By Shooting; Gangs Suspected

At least seven people were wounded Wednesday night in a drive-by shooting that police said was possibly related to gangs.

The shooting occurred about 8:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of West Myrtle Street, Police Sgt. Joe Esther said. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

Esther said dozens of bystanders were milling about outside an apartment complex when a blue pickup truck with three to five occupants approached.

As the truck drove past a group of people on the sidewalk, its passengers opened fire, spraying the crowd with an undetermined number of rounds.

The truck stopped, turned around and the assailants shouted derogatory comments about the neighborhood, Esther said. They then made a second pass down Myrtle Street and opened fire again before speeding off.

Police said the truck was found later abandoned nearby.

At least seven people suffered wounds, the most serious of which appeared to be a shot in the arm, Esther said. All were taken to nearby hospitals.

Police cordoned off the area as investigators began searching the scene. They found a plastic container full of drugs wedged between the license plate and bumper of a car. The container had about 10 to 15 bindles of cocaine, which sell for about $10 apiece, Esther said.

There have been several shootings in the area, Esther said, noting that the latest was possibly gang-related.