Syracuse, NY - Three teenaged boys were shot, with one critically wounded, while they were trick or treating tonight on Syracuse’s south side, Syracuse police said.

A group of seven teenagers was walking in the 500 block of West Colvin Street, between Midland and Hope avenues, at 7:13 p.m. when they were confronted by up to four suspects, Sgt. Thomas Connellan said.

Witnesses told officers the suspects opened fire on the victims without provocation, Connellan said.

A 15-year-old shot in the back was taken to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition. Two 14-year-olds were taken to the same hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening, Connellan said. One was shot in the kidney area and the other in the buttocks.

“It’s a shame,” Connellan said. “We don’t know what the motive was.”

It was unclear if the suspects were in a car or on foot, he said.

Anyone with information may contact police at 442-5222.

Contact Douglass Dowty at ddowty@syracuse.com or 470-6070.