Suspects on the run after San Luis Hotel security guard shot 23-year-old victim identified, listed as critical but stable after rushed into surgery

About three suspects are on the run after a security guard was shot Sunday night at the San Luis Hotel in Galveston. (Metro Video) About three suspects are on the run after a security guard was shot Sunday night at the San Luis Hotel in Galveston. (Metro Video) Photo: Metro Video Photo: Metro Video Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Suspects on the run after San Luis Hotel security guard shot 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

At least three gunmen are on the run after one of them fired at a security guard at the San Luis Hotel and Conference Center in Galveston.

Surgeons quickly operated on the victim, 23-year-old Philip Mollis, who was listed in critical but stable condition as of Monday afternoon.

Mollis was patrolling the back parking lot of the hotel around 10:15 p.m. Sunday when he saw several people involved in what he thought was suspicious activity, Galveston Police Department Capt. Joshua Schirard said.

When the security guard approached, the gunmen turned around and fired at him, striking the security guard multiple times, Galveston police said later Monday. The gunmen then fled the parking lot.

Mollis was transported to the University of Texas-Medical Branch hospital where he underwent surgery. After surgery he was listed in critical but stable condition, police said later.

"These suspects don't care if it was a police officer, a security guard," Schirard said. "They just turned around and shot."

The Galveston, Texas City, Lamar and Houston police departments have sent officers to help find the suspects. A canine unit is also being used to help track them down, along with a Houston police helicopter.

Police found and interviewed a person of interest but had not found the suspects as of Monday afternoon, Galveston police said. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Galveston detectives at 409-765-3702.

"These people are armed," Schirard said. "They are dangerous."