A man unexpectedly brought in the new year at the hospital after he was shot just hours after 2013 began.

According to a police report, LaGrange Police officers responded to the 400 block of Merrywood Drive at 2:07 a.m. Tuesday to a report of shots being fired. When they arrived, officers did not locate anyone shooting but had been informed by bystanders that a male had been shot and was being taken to West Georgia Medical Center by another person.

Police arrived at the hospital, where they spoke with 18-year-old victim. The victim said that he was leaving a party in the 400 block of Merrywood Drive, when several unknown black males began shooting at each other, and he was shot during the gunfire exchange. The victim was later airlifted to Grady Health System in Atlanta for further treatment.

The Criminal Investigations Section of the LPD is investigating the incident.

If anyone has any additional information about this incident, please contact the LaGrange Police Department at 706-883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000, or text an anonymous tip to TEXT-A-TIP at 274637, keyword “LAGRANGE.” Tips can also be submitted online at www.lagrangega.org or www.facebook.com/lagrange.police.