Police are looking for suspects after three men were shot in the same area of the city's east end Thursday night, within five minutes of each other.

One of the victims is in hospital in serious but stable condition

A second victim was treated in hospital and released, and the third had only minor injuries.

Police spokesperson Const. Wendy Drummond told CTV.ca a suspect approached the men from behind and began shooting in the parking lot of a local restaurant near Lawrence Avenue and Bellamy Road.

A 47-year-old man was shot in the right leg at around 9:40 p.m., and was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. He was stabilized and his injuries are considered non-life threatening, Drummond said.

A second victim was treated and released after being shot in the leg.

The third victim, who was shot in the hand, was also treated and released from hospital.

One suspect is described as a black male, five foot, six inches with a slim build, and wearing black clothing.

"There were more than one, but we don't know exactly how many, but we've got this partial description of one of the suspects," Drummond said.

Part of Lawrence Avenue was closed for the investigation.

More than a dozen empty shell cases were reportedly found at the scene.