An 18-year-old suspected gang member is in critical condition tonight after being stabbed in the chest, an official said.
Lt. Bob White said the teen was in a fight with several others in a field at State and Long streets when he suffered a stab wound that is believed to have punctured the sack surrounding his heart.
White said because of the weather, Care Flight cannot transport the victim to the trauma center in Reno so Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center doctors will have to perform surgery to try to stop the bleeding.
White said the victim told police he could not identify his attacker.
Deputies were called to the 1600 block of Long Street about 7 a.m. on the report of a fight. At about the same time -- two girls not related to the incident but familiar with the victim -- were driving on Long Street when they saw the injured teen, said White.
"They scooped him up and drove him to the hospital," he said.
Police are looking for a silver Neon in which three bald Hispanic men fled the scene.
One of the men was wearing a checkered shirt, White said.
White said the fight appears to be gang related.
Anyone with information is asked to call 887-2008 or 911.