New London — A 27-year-old New London man was shot Tuesday afternoon in the area of Adelaide and Cole streets, police said in a news release.

The man, Isaiah Peake, of 12 Home St., Apt. 4, New London, was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, the release said. He was listed in fair condition Tuesday evening.

Peake was found with a gunshot wound to the buttocks in front of 159 Crystal Ave., and told police he had been shot on nearby Adelaide Street, Deputy Chief Peter Reichard said.

"He indicated he was down the street on Adelaide Street, heard a shot, realized he was shot in the back and was retreating" from the area, Reichard said. The 911 center received calls at 1:56 p.m. of multiple shots fired in the area of Adelaide and Cole streets, the release said.

Police, who recovered several shell casings at the scene, blocked off an area of Adelaide Street from Terrace Avenue to Cole Street on Tuesday afternoon. They set up a separate crime scene at 159 Crystal Ave.

Members of the investigative services and patrol divisions canvassed the area and were following up on multiple leads, the news release said.

An employee of the nearby Cheers Deli and Grocery said customers came into the store saying they heard gunshots.

Bud Shaffer, who lives in a brick building on Williams Street, said he heard what he thought were firecrackers.

"I didn't know what it was," he said. "You hear that a lot around here. It's usually festive."

But he came out to look because it was during the day. He said panhandlers recently moved into the neighborhood and there are many families.

"I just hope that the gentleman or lady makes it," he said. "It's a disgrace. We have two dozen children that just came off the bus. We've got a problem down here."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the New London Police Department's detective division at (860) 447-1481 or provide information anonymously via the New London Tips 411 system.