A man was shot after being confronted by a group of several men early Sunday who believed he was involved in the theft of a vehicle, authorities said.

Police responded to the scene at 4:16 a.m. today near E. 9th Street and Olive Avenue and found the victim with a gunshot wound to his lower body, according to police spokesman Lt. James Richardson. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital in stable condition.

Richardson said the victim was at the location when he was confronted by the group and involved in a dispute that led to one of the suspects shooting him. The group then fled the scene in a vehicle.

It’s unknown at the moment if the victim was really stealing or trying to steal a vehicle. Detectives are investigating the shooting as possibly gang-related.