Lincoln Square shooting prompts lockdown at nearby St. Matthias School

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are investigating a drive-by shooting in the Lincoln Square neighborhood that prompted a lockdown at a nearby Catholic elementary school.

Police said a 26-year-old man was shot near Argyle and Bell around 1:50 p.m. Wednesday when someone in a Honda Civic opened fire.

The victim was hit in the lower back and is in serious condition. Police said the man is a documented gang member.

A license plate left at the shooting scene matched a Chevy sedan that ended up at Weiss Hospital. The vehicle had front-end damage and the front driver, front passenger, and rear driver side windows appeared to have been shot out.

Three blocks away, St. Matthias School was put on a precautionary lockdown shortly after the shooting.

"It's always very scary. I mean, that's the last thing you want to hear, so, hopefully it's not too scary," said Jameela Colston-Pettigrew, a St. Matthias parent.

"We had to go to the gym because it was a hard or soft lockdown. We don't know why but me and Imani, and our friends, we just saw a police car pulling up and we didn't know why," said Massina, a St. Matthias student.

St. Matthias' principal said that all staff and students are safe.