One man was shot and another was pistol-whipped after they resisted an attempted armed robbery in Hempstead shortly after midnight Thursday, Nassau County police said.
Two men, one armed with a handgun, demanded cell phones from three men ages 21-22 who were sitting in a vehicle in a parking lot on Front Street, police said. The victims refused.
The first victim was struck in the head with the handgun when a scuffle broke out. One of suspects fired two gunshots into the vehicle, striking a second victim in the knee.
The second round struck the seat of the car. The suspects fled the scene on foot empty handed.
The gunshot victim, who suffered a non-life threatening injury, was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The second victim was treated for a contusion above the eye. The third victim was not injured.
There was no description of the robbers.
Third Squad detectives ask anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.