The Merced County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy that occurred during a fight in Winton.

The 14-year old is in stable condition, said sheriff spokesperson Deputy Tom MacKenzie.

The fight was reported around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 7000 block of Walnut Avenue in Winton. The victim was with his friends when they were confronted by several suspects, MacKenzie said.

During the confrontation, words were exchanged which led to a physical altercation. During the fight, the victim was stabbed multiple times by several of the suspects, mostly in the upper body, arms and head. When deputies arrived, they found the victim bleeding from numerous stab wounds and he was transported to a Modesto area hospital by helicopter, MacKenzie said.

The details leading up to the stabbing are still under investigation, but detectives believe the incident is gang related. It is unknown exactly how many people were involved on both sides of the altercation, but according to witnesses, there were five to six suspects, MacKenzie said.