Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

WILKES-BARRE — Three men suffered gunshot wounds and were hospitalized with injuries following a shooting Sunday on Westminster Street.

Investigators say a male was shot in the leg around 2 p.m. and ran to a nearby home for help.

A blood trail led police to an apartment building at 139 Westminster Street, where two additional victims were found with gunshot wounds, including one male who was placed in a bathtub until emergency personnel arrived, Commander of Investigations Joseph Coffay said.

Detectives and officers with the city police department, as well as state police investigators, were seen searching the backyard and upper floor in the rear of the brick apartment building. Officers taped off Westminster Street between Thomas and Hanover streets while searching the area.

Coffay said two of the victims were shot in the leg. The third was shot in the side, he said.

“We don’t know why,” Coffay said of a possible motive.

None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening, Coffay said, adding that two of the victims are to be released from local hospitals. Their identities were unknown, he said.

Two neighbors said they heard a commotion outside their homes early Sunday afternoon but hadn’t heard any gunshots.

“All I saw was cops pulling up and running around,” said one neighbor who declined to provide her name.

Coffay said police are searching for a dark-skinned male suspect.

Wilkes-Barre police officers work to secure a scene of a shooting at 139 Westminster Street in the city Sunday afternoon. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL053016Shooting_2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes-Barre police officers work to secure a scene of a shooting at 139 Westminster Street in the city Sunday afternoon. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Detectives look for evidence at the scene of a shooting at 139 Westminster Streeet in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday afternoon. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL053016Shooting_1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDetectives look for evidence at the scene of a shooting at 139 Westminster Streeet in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday afternoon. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Joe Dolinsky

[email protected]