A man was rushed to hospital following an apparent targeted shooting in a Courtenay neighbourhood Friday afternoon.

Police were called to the 1600-block of Piercy Avenue near 17th Street for a report of a shooting.

They found one male victim, and he was transported to a local hospital. Mounties tell CTV News the victim was known to them, and the shooting was apparently drug-related. 

The extent of the victim’s injuries are unknown.

The shooter has not yet been tracked down, and Const. Rob Gardner of the Comox Valley RCMP says the investigation is in its very early stages.

“We’re asking people to stay away from the area. Let the investigators have room to do their investigator,” he said.

It’s believed that the suspect and victim were known to each other and the shooting does not appear to be random, according to RCMP.

Anyone with information is asked to call Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321.