On December 25, 2020, at approximately 2:48 PM, officers were dispatched to the area of Conestoga Street and S. Water Street for a shooting.   Officers arrived and located a male victim, who had been shot in the torso.   Officers rendered aid to the victim, who was then transported to the hospital by ambulance.   The victim, a 17 year old Lancaster area resident, remains hospitalized and is being treated for serious injuries.   The officers secured the crime scene, which was located just south of the intersection at Conestoga Street and S. Water Street, in an open area behind homes in the 300 block of Mill Street.   Detectives were contacted and responded to the scene.

Detectives conducted witness interviews, processed the crime scene for evidence and collected and review video footage from around the area.   The investigation is on-going and will continue.   The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim and a group of males engaged in a verbal dispute, which escalated.   During this dispute, one of the males produced a firearm and at least one shot was fired, striking the victim in the torso.   The suspect and two other males then fled the scene on foot, running south towards Andrew or Hazel Streets.   The suspect was wearing a dark colored hooded jacket and was with a male wearing a red hooded jacket and another male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.   Initial information indicates that the suspect and the victim were familiar with one another.

The investigation into this shooting is continuing and anyone with information is urged to call the Lancaster City Police at (717) 735-3300 or Lancaster City-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913. You can also click the Submit a Tip button on our website, www.lancasterpolice.com, or Text a Tip to Crime Stoppers by texting LANCS plus your message to 847411. Tipsters may remain anonymous and do not have to give their names.