Shooting classified as murder attempt

Three men and a juvenile boy were shot Saturday afternoon in the area of 558 N. Sunnyside Road.

The suspects remained at large Tuesday.

The victims told police officers three Hispanic males, 16 to 19 years old, with shaved heads, drove past them while the victims were on the north side of the road, the Porterville Police Department said Tuesday.

Words were reportedly exchanged, but the suspects kept driving.

A few minutes later, according to a department press release, the suspects returned in the vehicle and drove toward the victims. A passenger in the front pulled out a small-caliber handgun and fired five to six rounds, hitting the four victims, they said. The driver sped away, going northbound on Main Street from North Avenue.

The victims were taken to Sierra View District Hospital and treated for gunshot wounds that were not considered life threatening. Their names were not released.

No description of the vehicle was released.

The incident is being investigated as attempted murder and as a gang-related crime. The case is under investigation. Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Rick Carrillo, 782-7418.