A York City man was shot in the chest early Wednesday morning, police said.

York City officers were already in the area at 2:25 a.m. when they heard gunfire and went to investigate, according to Lt. Tim Utley, who supervises the city detective bureau.

In the 600 block of East Philadelphia Street, they spotted a group of people.

"They were standing around the man who'd been shot," Utley said.

Thomas Washington III, 33, of the 700 block of West Poplar Street, was taken to York Hospital for treatment, the lieutenant said.

Washington's hospital condition could not be obtained.

According to Utley, witnesses told officers they heard several gunshots, then saw Washington stagger across the street and collapse.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call detectives at 849-2219, or call the city's anonymous crime tip line, 849-2204. Or anonymously text a tip to YORKTIPS at 847411.

-- Reach Elizabeth Evans at levans@yorkdispatch.com, 505-5429 or twitter.com/ydcrimetime.