Man Becomes Innocent Bystander When Shot at 6th and Minna Streets

A 43-year old man became an innocent bystander at 7:35 a.m. Thursday morning when he was shot in the ear by rival gangs near Sixth and Minna streets in San Francisco.

The man, who was not identified, was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the San Francisco Examiner.

The shooting was a result of an hours-long argument between three black men and an Asian man, according to police. Neighbors say the dispute is part of an "ongoing war" between a South of Market-based black gang and a Tenderloin-based Asian gang over drug-dealing turf and other disputes, the newspaper reported.

The gangs first began arguing at 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning. Police responded to a fight at 3 a.m. which dissipated, but the gangs returned in the early morning sun and exchanged at least three shots, according to witnesses.

The wounded man was seen with blood gushing from his ear.

The area is known for violence. A pastor who runs a youth recreation center across the street from the shooting location said that police are "overwhelmed" in their efforts to effectively patrol the area.

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