Authorities investigating whether 3 victims connected to 2 Freehold shootings

Investigators are trying to determine whether separate shootings in which three people were wounded are related. Watch video

A resident on Ford Avenue in Freehold Borough said a shooting Monday night occurred in front of the home pictured above. (Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

FREEHOLD BOROUGH -- Investigators in Monmouth County are trying to determine whether three shootings within a short span are related to gunfire in Freehold Borough on Monday night.

Authorities initially reported two people injured in separate shootings in the borough, but now said a Lakewood man with a gunshot wound showed up at a local hospital within minutes of the second shooting.

The first round of gunfire occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. at an abandoned house on Ford Avenue, said Charles Webster, spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. In that case, a 16-year-old male was leaving the vacant house when he was hit by a bullet, Webster said.

Authorities investigating 2 separate shootings in Freehold

A neighbor told NJ Advance Media that three people, including one who appeared to have an injured leg, got into a cab.

Webster didn't identify the car as a cab, but said the driver was instructed to take them to the hospital.  At the same time, police received a 911 call about the incident. When police and medical personnel spotted the car, the victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries before being released later that night, Webster said.

While police were investigating that incident, another shooting occurred about two blocks away just a few hours later, Webster said.

Around 10:39 p.m., police responded to a call to a Center Street home where they found a 21-year-old Freehold Borough man had been shot, Webster said.

The victim was taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment to non-life-threatening injuries, Webster said. The man remained in the hospital on Tuesday, he said.

Police learned that less than 20 minutes later - at 10:58 p.m., a 21-year-old Lakewood man went to the hospital in the area and reported that he was shot, Webster said.

Investigators are still trying to determine whether all three incidents are related, he said.

The investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Freehold Borough Police Department is continuing.

Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to call prosecutor's Detective Kevin Condon 800-533-7443 or Freehold Borough Detective Richard Schwerthoffer at 732-462-1234.

Those who want to remain anonymous but have information about a crime can contact the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers' confidential telephone tip line at 800-671-4400; can text "MONMOUTH" plus their tip to 274637; or they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.  Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.