SAN JOSE — A man was shot in the face while bicycling near the Capitol light-rail station early Tuesday in what so far is a mysterious attack, authorities said.

The case wasn’t even identified as a shooting until a CAT scan at a local hospital discovered a small-caliber bullet lodged in the victim’s head, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

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A San Jose Fire Department crew was called around 1:17 a.m. to the light-rail station at West Capitol Expressway near the Capitol Auto Mall for a medical call involving a man with a “facial injury,” according to the the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, described only as a middle-aged man, was conscious when he was seen by medics and reported that he was “struck by a projectile” while riding in the area. He was taken to the hospital where it was determined he had been shot.

The Sheriff’s Office was summoned to investigate because the 911 call was made at a station for the VTA system, which is policed by the county. The victim remains hospitalized in “stable condition.”

Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Glennon said there were no reports of gunfire in the vicinity of the emergency call.

The Sheriff’s Transit Patrol is investigating the shooting, and neither suspect nor motive information has been released.

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Light-rail trains did not stop at the Capitol station for several hours while deputies examined the scene. Normal service resumed just after noon.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Sheriff’s detectives at 408-808-4500 or leave an anonymous tip at 408-808-4431.

Check back later for updates to this story.