South Side gunplay sends one to hospital

YOUNGSTOWN — Gunfire erupted on the city’s South Side Monday morning sending one man to the hospital and police searching for the shooter.

According to police, a not yet identified man was driving a gold Chevrolet Prizm in the are of Oak Hill Avenue and Chicago Street at 11:39 a.m. when the vehicle was riddled with bullets and the driver shot in the head. The car crashed into a utility pole after the shooting.

Ambulance workers began working on the man a short time after the shooting and determined he was still alive after suffering the wound. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for treatment.

Reports say witnesses told police that people in a light green or blue SUV had been shooting at the man then took off before police arrived. Police did not find any shell casings in the car or immediate area of the shooting.

Reports say police did find a loaded handgun tucked between the legs of the wounded man. The gun fell to the floor of the car as emergency personnel worked on the victim. The victim was not carrying any identification.