A fight between two brothers in north Minneapolis left their mother in critical condition after a third man fired shots at the brothers and hit the mother instead.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon in the 3100 block of Emerson Avenue N. Police said the two adult brothers were fighting when a third man drove up and got involved in the altercation.

"I think what happened is that the guy comes in, gets involved with the two brothers," said police spokesman John Elder. "The two brothers possibly turn toward him, and he fires. One of those rounds hits mom right smack in the chest." The shooter drove away after the incident, police said.

Police did not reveal the names of the brothers or of their injured mother. Elder said there are no immediate suspects, but that police have several witnesses.

John Reinan