Austin Daily Herald

A 16-year-old Austin male was hospitalized Thursday night from a gunshot wound to the chest after a shooting on the 800 block of

Fourth Avenue Northeast in Austin.

At 8:30 p.m. Austin police were called to Reeds Fourth Avenue Food and Fuel with reports of a shooting victim.

Police found a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest and an injury to the right index finger. The victim and a friend had walked to the store from the site of the incident.

Police have interviewed a possible suspect and have the name of

another possible suspect. They are also interviewing a witness who was with the victim.

“We believe there’s been some past connection between both victim and suspect,” Police Chief Paul Philipp said.

Five shell casings were later found near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Eighth Street Northeast. Philipp said the weapon appears to be a small-caliber handgun.

Police believe the shooter was alone.

The youth was airlifted to Rochester. His condition is unknown.