Man Shot by Muggers on Starbird Street

(Editor's note: This story was updated at 1:07 p.m. with quotes from Malden Police Captain Thomas Swanson.)

A man was shot by three muggers at the corner of Starbird and Porter Street late Tuesday night.

Malden Police Captain Thomas Swanson said there were three assailants who tried to mug the victim before shooting him twice in the foot. Officers received a call about the shooting at 11:25 p.m.

"[Malden police officers] found one male victim in his mid-20's with two bullet wounds to his foot," said Swanson. Police declined to release the name of the victim, who was taken to Massachusets General Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

According to the police report filed, the three men tried to rob the victim before shooting him.

"One of them said, 'Empty your pockets,'" said Swanson. "The victim refused."

At that point, one of the three muggers pulled out a gun and the victim heard a shot.

"He heard a shot and fled the scene. He then heard more shots and realized he had been hit," said Swanson.

The victim was shot twice in the foot. Swanson said both shots went straight through the foot.

The alleged shooters were not found. The victim described them as two white and one black male, all of whom were about five-foot-nine and 150 pounds. Swanson said a team of officers, led by Det. Mitch Montina, were investigating the matter.

The shooting is Malden's fourth in just over two months, following an August 25 incident on Beach Street and August 3 and 16 incidents on Salem Street.