CNN
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At least 10 people were injured Monday afternoon in a drive-by shooting in Lakeland, Florida, police said, with two in critical condition.
A dark blue four-door Nissan was parked at the scene of the shooting, Lakeland Police Department Chief Sam Taylor said.
“The car slowed down, did not stop, and four windows rolled down. It appears there were four shooters in the car,” Taylor said. “They started shooting out all four windows of the car and shooting men from all sides.”
Eight of the victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Taylor said at a news conference Monday evening. Only three victims were transported by emergency services, and they were between the ages of 20 and 35. The others were taken from their vehicles, he said.
Police believe it was a targeted incident, the official said.
Nissan, which had temporary tags, it took off at a high rate of speed, and police are “quickly looking for the vehicle,” Taylor said.
“We’re going to be out all night trying to figure out where these people are in the car,” Taylor said.
Police are looking for at least four men who may be wearing face coverings, according to Taylor. He has asked the community to come forward with anything they have that can help in the investigation.
Working with Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida, the police department on Monday offered a $5,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the identification and arrest of the suspects in connection with the shooting. More information can be provided at 1-900-226 TIP (8477).
At the crime scene, police found a large amount of “marijuana,” which indicated to police that “there was a sale or sale of marijuana at the time,” Taylor said. “Whether this is necessary or related to this is unclear.”
The officer said that in the 34 years he has been serving in the branch, he has never handled a case in which many people were shot at the same time.
“This is something that doesn’t happen in Lakeland,” Taylor said.
