EAST PROVIDENCE — A social media transaction gone wrong is considered the likely cause of a shooting incident in city Tuesday morning, July 16.

East Providence Police were alerted to a robbery where shots were fired at the victim around 9 a.m. in the area of James Street near Broadway, Taunton and Massasoit Avenues, according to a report issued later Tuesday by Captain Michael Rapoza, East Providence Police Department Public Information Officer.

Rapoza declined comment about the probable cause of the incident, saying it remained under investigation as of mid-day.

The victim approached an officer working a traffic detail and gave a description of the suspects and the vehicle they were in. Several officers and detectives responded to the area and located a red Honda CRV that had crashed at the intersection of James Street and Blanding Avenue. Neighbors confirmed hearing gunfire and directed officers to the vicinity of where the three suspects fled on foot.

Officers set up a perimeter and focused on the Central Avenue playground area where they located the three suspects hiding behind the skate ramp. All three were taken into custody without incident. A loaded firearm was also located in the immediate area of the three suspects.

All three were positively identified by the victim and brought to the police station to be processed. Positive identification of the three suspects has not been made.

Suspect names and criminal charges will be released pending further investigation by detectives. This is an isolated incident.