HOUSTON – A 16-year-old boy is in critical condition after a shooting Monday night in Houston’s Montrose area, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said officers responded around 9:30 p.m. to the 700 block of Colquitt Street after receiving reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found numerous shell casings, narcotics and other evidence at the scene, but no victims.

While officers were conducting their preliminary investigation, the teenager arrived at a nearby hospital after being transported by a passing motorist.

According to police, the Good Samaritan stopped after seeing the teen stumbling in the area, discovered he had been shot and took him to the hospital in a private vehicle.

Hospital staff determined the victim’s injuries were critical and transferred him to a higher-level trauma center.

Investigators believe the teen was shot at the scene based on where he was found, but he has not been able to provide a statement due to his condition.

Police believe the shooting may have involved an exchange of gunfire between two parties based on evidence recovered at the scene, including numerous shell casings. Police said they do not yet know how many people were involved or whether multiple suspects participated.

A nearby resident who identified herself as Hannah said she was not surprised by the shooting, citing what she described as ongoing crime and drug activity in the neighborhood.

“There is a huge drug problem. There’s a huge crime problem,” Hannah said. She also said she has seen people using drugs in the area and that she avoids walking alone at night because she does not feel safe.

Hannah praised the passing motorist who stopped to help the injured teenager.

“I’m really glad that there’s still people like that out here,” she said. “I’m really glad that someone stepped in when they needed to.”

No suspect description has been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.