PITTSBURGH -- Two people were wounded in a street shooting in the heart of the city's Oakland neighborhood early Friday morning.

Shots were fired around 2:30 a.m. outside the McDonald's restaurant in the 3900 block of Forbes Avenue. The victims ran across the street to the Original Hot Dog Shop.

Police said a 21-year-old man from the North Side was shot in the chest and a 22-year-old Community College of Allegheny County student from Oakland was shot in the back.

Both people were rushed to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. The 21-year-old is in serious condition. The 22-year-old is in critical condition.

The victims were customers at the McDonald's restaurant, and so was the shooter, who followed them outside when they left and began firing at them, police said.

"The gunshots happened fairly quickly," said Charles Cascio, who was a couple blocks away at the time. "Approximately within five minutes of each other."

"It appears that this was not gang-related," said Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper. "Two groups got into an argument. And once again, a weapon was in the hands of the wrong individual."

About an hour earlier, one of the shooting victims had been involved in a fight at a bar on Atwood Street, near Bates Street, police said.

"Police were called and broke up a crowd of approximately 100 people who were on the street," said Cmdr. Thomas Stangrecki of the Pittsburgh Police Department. "Broke up several fights."

The shooter is only described as a black man who was wearing a black hat. Police said he fled and was last seen running down Forbes Avenue with several other men.

And although police are still searching for the man, some who frequent what's considered the heart of Oakland say the latest incident won't stop them from going out.

"Sometimes, if you're out by yourself, it's a little scary, but usually with a group of people, I don't really worry about it at all," said Nathan Shiner of Oakland.

Harper said he would be setting up a special task force to crack down on Oakland's problem areas.

"Oakland is a safe area," said assistant chief Paul Donaldson of the Pittsburgh Police Department. "That’s why we are concerned about this activity."

"We will have increased foot patrols," said assistant chief Paul Donaldson of the Pittsburgh Police Department. "We will have two-officer teams. We will have a Pittsburgh police officer teamed up with a University of Pittsburgh police officer."

Harper said police continue to view surveillance footage and are still trying to identify the shooter.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pittsburgh police.

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