Backyard Bullets Fly and Leave Mastic Teen Wounded

A 17-year-old boy was seriously injured after being shot during an altercation Thursday evening in Mastic, according to Suffolk County Police.

The shooting occurred at approximately 7:25 p.m. in the backyard of a home at 123 Neptune Ave., where police said an altercation escalated and the teenager was struck by gunfire.

The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are leading the investigation and are working to determine what led to the shooting. No arrests had been announced as of Friday, and investigators have not released a description of the suspect.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Suffolk County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.