A man was shot when he answered a knock at the door of his Hoover apartment.

Hoover police were dispatched at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday to a report of shots fired at the 3645 building at The Park at Deerfield apartments, said Lt. Keith Czeskleba. Once on the scene, they found the victim with a gunshot wound to his forearm. He was taken by Hoover Fire medics to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.

The victim told investigators he answered the knock and came face to face with a man wielding a rifle. He closed the door and the suspect then fired a round that went through the door and struck him.

Witnesses reported seeing three black male suspects running from the scene. Although the investigation is in its initial stages, Czeskleba said it appears that the victim was specifically targeted.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Joe Nickelson at 205-444-7620. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward can call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.