A city man was wounded during the evening hours of Thursday on Essex Street, according to the Paterson Police Department.

The victim, 21-year-old, in the area of Roberto Clemente Park at around 10 p.m. on Thursday, when he was approached by two suspects.

“As he accessed a stairway that leads from the park to Essex Street he was confronted on the stairs by two males who made a demand for his personal property,” said Patrick Murray, head of the Ceasefire Unit. “A struggle then ensued, and during that struggle, one of the suspects who was armed with a handgun fired the weapon, striking the victim in the hand.”

After wounding the victim the two suspects fled on foot, Murray said. A passing by taxi picked up the wounded victim transporting him to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The investigation is continuing at this time. Detectives are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Christopher Ravallese or Prosecutor’s Detective Michael Boone of the Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342.