Police say an argument escalated into gunfire, ending with a man being shot in the face.
It happened on the 2,000 block of Pickwick Street in Philadelphia's Harrowgate section, just after midnight on Friday.
The man was standing outside and was confronted by a small group of people.
The group left, but police say that when they returned, they opened fire.
The victim was rushed to the hospital and is in critical condition.
Police are checking surveillance cameras for additional clues.