A Salisbury man is expected to live after being shot during a Monday night attempted robbery.

Salisbury Police said an unknown person shot Joshua Victor Harrison in the back outside of his apartment in Colonial Village — located off D Avenue. Harrison was transported to Carolinas Medical Center NorthEast in Concord. Hospital officials listed Harrison in “good” condition Tuesday afternooon.

The incident occurred after 8 p.m. Monday. Salisbury Police Department Spokeswoman Shelia Lingle said Harrison answered a knock at his door. A person who hasn’t been identified brandished a gun after Harrison opened the door. Lingle said the incident appeared to be a robbery. She couldn’t immediately confirm whether the victims knew each other, but said the incident wasn’t random.

Harrison attempted to run from the man after seeing the weapon, Lingle said. Harrison was shot in the back while trying to escape, Lingle said Tuesday morning. A news release sent by Salisbury Police later Tuesday said Harrison was shot inside of his apartment. However, witnesses also told police they observed Harrison being chased through the complex by a man with a gun, according to the news release.

Lingle said the weapon used was identified as a sawed-off shotgun.

After obtaining a warrant, police searched Harrison’s apartment and seized illegal narcotics and cash, according to the news release.

Police haven’t filed charges in connection with the incident.

The only immediately available identifying factors about the unknown shooter included being a black male whose hair was in short dreadlocks. Lingle said the shooter was wearing a dark-colored hoodie.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Salisbury Police Deaprtment at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5425.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.