Three shot near West Sahara after argument between groups escalates

By Pashtana Usufzy

Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 | 9:15 p.m.

Three people were shot after an argument led to a gunfight this evening near Sahara Avenue and Valley View Boulevard, Metro Police said.

Metro was called to the scene about 6:15 p.m after two groups of people exchanged gunfire in the 4100 block of Tara Avenue., Lt. Yaz Yatomi said.

The two parties argued, and one party left before returning and opening fire, prompting the other group to shoot back, Yatomi said.

Shell casings of different calibers were recovered at the scene, which spans about a block, she said.

Two men in their 20s and a female of unknown age suffered gunshot wounds, she said.

One man was shot in the buttocks and transported to University Medical Center, where he has been listed in critical condition, she said.

Another man was shot in the stomach and transported to UMC with injuries believed to be nonlife-threatening, she said.

A female was dropped off at UMC with a gunshot wound and was determined to have been involved in the event, Yatomi said.

Police said her injuries are also believed to be nonlife-threatening.

Yatomi said there is no evidence to indicate the event was gang motivated, but it is possibly narcotics related.

A suspect vehicle, identified only as a black SUV, fled the scene, she said.