Case: Suspect remains at-large : Authorities have yet to release the name of a man who was shot, driven to Sierra View District Hospital, dropped off and later found to be dead.

Around 4 p.m. Thursday, the victim was left at Sierra View. It was later determined the man suffered a gunshot wound which resulted in his death.

The Porterville Police Department initiated an investigation using hospital surveillance footage to determine who had transported the victim to the hospital.

Police investigators determined the shooting occurred in the unincorporated Porterville area and the case was turned over the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

Further investigation revealed a suspect and the victim were in a vehicle together when they became involved in an argument. The argument escalated and a single gunshot was fired, striking the victim, according to a Tulare County Sheriff’s news release.

The victim has been identified, the Sheriff’s Department reports, but his name is being withheld pending notification of his family.

An autopsy performed Friday afternoon determined the cause of death as excessive bleeding due to a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

The identity of the victim is known, however the Sheriff’s Department is not releasing it at this time to allow for notification of the victim’s family.

The Sheriff’s Department is also withholding the name of the suspect, who is still at-large.

The case is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information is asked to call the Violent Crimes Unit at 733–6218.

-- Contact Sarah Elizabeth Villicana at 784-5000, Ext. 1045 or svillicana@portervillerecorder.com.