A.V. MAN SHOT, SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN GANG ATTACK.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

PALMDALE - A Palmdale man was in serious condition after being shot twice at close range Tuesday night in what deputies believe may have been a gang-related attack.

The 32-year-old victim, whose name was not released, suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and one to the arm while standing in front of his apartment. The man told investigators he didn't know the gunman.

``The victim denied any gang affiliation and said he didn't know the suspect,'' said Deputy Johnie Jones of the Palmdale sheriff's station.

At about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, a man knocked loudly on the door of the downstairs apartment in the 3800 block of 11th Street East. A woman answered the door and the man asked for the victim by name. The woman went to a rear bedroom and told the victim that someone was at the door waiting for him.

When the victim went to the door he stepped outside and closed the door behind him, officials said. The caller asked the victim his name and when the victim told him, the man pulled out a small caliber handgun and fired four shots at close range, two of which hit the victim. The gunman then fled.

The woman, hearing the shots, told deputies that she jumped over the couch to get to her children and protect them.

The victim was airlifted to Holy Cross Medical Center where he initially was listed in critical condition.

The woman told deputies the assailant was Latino, in his mid-20s.

Anyone with information on the shooting or the suspect is asked to call the sheriff's station at [phone].