Police in Baltimore County are investigating a Wednesday evening shooting in Essex.

Authorities learned of the shooting after the victim was driven to an area hospital by a friend.

Detectives have determined that the victim, a 24-year-old man, was in a parking lot in the 1100-block of Punjab Drive (21221) at just before 6 p.m. when he was approached by a group of men.

One of the men shot the victim in the upper body.

The suspects then fled the scene and a friend drove the victim to the hospital. He is expected to survive his injuries.

The motive for this shooting remains under investigation.

Given that the shooting occurred in the early evening, police believe that there may have been witnesses.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.