Four people were hospitalized after a shooting Monday afternoon that investigators believe stemmed from an attempted online marketplace transaction, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded around 1:15 p.m. to the 3600 block of Avenue R in Fort Pierce, where they found multiple people wounded, the sheriff’s office said. Patrol deputies secured the area, provided aid and coordinated with St. Lucie County Fire Rescue to get the victims to a local hospital.

Preliminary information and witness accounts suggest one person arrived at the location intending to complete an online marketplace transaction with another individual. When the potential buyer got out of the vehicle, three suspects allegedly ambushed the individual and opened fire, investigators said.

Four people have been identified as victims of gunshot wounds. Detectives believe a fifth person may have been involved and are working to identify and locate that individual.

The sheriff’s office said the information released so far is preliminary and may change as investigators confirm details and develop new leads.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office at 772‑462‑7300 or email CrimeTips@stluciesheriff.gov.