A shooting that left a 20-year-old man in critical condition in Livermore early Saturday was sparked by an argument over gang territory,
police said Monday morning.

Prior to the shooting, three suspects approached the victim and another person in the 1500 block of Olivina Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday and "language of gang territory ensued," Livermore police Officer Steve Goard said.

The verbal exchange turned into physical struggle, during which one of the three suspects pulled a gun and fired twice, Goard said.

Police responded to reports of shots fired at 1:17 a.m. and found the 20-year-old man on the ground.

Police noticed that the man had been attacked and had facial wounds, and later determined that he had also been shot in the torso, police said.

The other victim was shot in the leg.

Both were transported to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley.

The first victim was underwent surgery and remained in critical condition as of Saturday. Goard did not have an update on his condition.

The other victim was treated at the hospital and released, police said.

The suspects were described as three men all about 20 years old, wearing dark-colored clothing, police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Livermore police at 294-7565.

— Bay City News Service

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