The incident happened at 1:34 p.m. in the 1800 and 1900 blocks of Fourth Avenue South.

”It is simply nothing short of a miracle no other bystanders were injured in this senseless act,” police Capt. Ryan Gruenberg said.

The boy suffered leg injuries that police said were not life-threatening. He was taken to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center in a private vehicle. Police did not identify him, citing his age.

Webster County 911 dispatchers received multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of the 1800 block of Fourth Avenue South.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Yellow markers on the pavement in the 1900 block of Fourth Avenue South show the location of shell casings and other bits of evidence following a shooting Saturday afternoon in Fort Dodge.

Responding police officers learned that a vehicle may have been involved and fled the area.

The 1800 and 1900 blocks of Fourth Avenue South, along with the intersection of Fourth Avenue South and 19th Street, were closed to traffic Saturday afternoon while investigators worked. The road surface was dotted with small yellow markers that showed the location of shell casings and other pieces of evidence.

Fort Dodge police and Webster County sheriff’s deputies were on the scene.

”We strongly encourage those who have knowledge of this incident to come forward,” Gruenberg said. ”Those involved clearly have no regard for the safety of the general public and acts like this cannot be tolerated.”

”At this point, we have reason to believe those involved knew one another and do not feel as though this was a random act,” he added.

Anyone with information can call the Fort Dodge Police Department at 573-1424. They can also anonymously report information to Webster County Crime Stoppers by calling 573-1444, visiting www.wccrimestoppers.com or texting LEC and the tip CRIMES (274637).