2 SHOT, WOUNDED IN WHAT MAY BE GANG ATTACKS.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Sheriff's investigators are looking into two possibly gang-related shootings Monday night that sent two men to the hospital, officials said.

Following a fatal gang shooting in Palmdale during the weekend, Monday night's violent episodes occurred about a half-hour apart in neighborhoods in Palmdale and Lancaster, and in both cases gunshot victims later showed up at Antelope Valley Hospital, where officials called deputies.

``It doesn't appear to be connected but we can't say that for sure until we see the report from Palmdale,'' said Micah Currado, community service officer from the Lancaster sheriff's station.

Palmdale deputies responded to a 911 call about 11:15 p.m. Monday from neighbors near 20th Street East and Avenue R-4 who reported hearing gunfire. When deputies arrived, they found no victim or witnesses. Just after midnight, the hospital called and reported that a 30-year-old man, whose name was not released, had come in with a bullet wound.

Deputies went to the hospital to take a report but got little information from the victim. Because the victim was uncooperative and because of statements he made, deputies said, they believe the shooting may have been gang-related.

About 11:50 p.m. the Lancaster sheriff's station received a 911 call about shots fired in a neighborhood near Cedar Avenue and Avenue J-12. Deputies responded but again found no victim. Minutes later, they received a call from personnel at Antelope Valley Hospital who said that a man had walked in with a gunshot wound.

Deputies said they were told the man had been walking along Cedar Avenue headed to a nearby store when a burgundy-color car passed him slowly. One of the four men inside the car drew a gun and opened fire, hitting the victim in the left leg. The car sped out of sight.

The man would not tell deputies how he got to the hospital, saying only that a friend brought him in.

Investigators believe the shooting was gang-related as well.

Because of the timing of the two incidents and the methods in both shootings, investigators are looking into the possibility that the two could be linked.

The shootings follow a fatal weekend gunbattle outside a Palmdale residence that left a 17-year-old Palmdale boy dead. Gunfire broke out about 1:30 a.m. Sunday on 28th Street East, and when deputies arrived they found shell casings and a rifle on the street. A short time later on Lemsford Street, about a half-mile away, deputies found the victim and a bullet-riddled vehicle.

Anyone with information in either incident is asked to call the Palmdale sheriff's station at [phone] or the Lancaster sheriff's station at [phone].