Police on the scene after three people were found shot to death inside a car in Wyandanch on June 4, 2015. (credit: CBS2)

WYANDANCH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Three people were found shot to death and a fourth person was injured sitting inside a car on Long Island, and police said Thursday that the suspect was still on the loose.

The shooting happened shortly before midnight Wednesday on Davidson Street in Wyandanch.

The suspect walked up to the SUV and opened fire, fatally striking the male driver and two female passengers, Detective Lt. Kevin Beyrer said.

“They were sitting in the car just talking,” Beyrer said. “A gunman came upon the vehicle, opened fire into the car. The gunman fled in an unknown direction.”

Killed were 25-year-old William Madrey of Wyandanch, 23-year-old Stephanie Almedina Rivera of Bay Shore and 23-year-old Ciara Smith of Deer Park, police said.

A third female passenger, whose identity is being withheld, was hospitalized and expected to live, police said.

Early Thursday morning, multiple police vehicles lined the roadway and workers from the medical examiner’s office were on scene.

Shortly before 9 a.m., the SUV was towed away, with bullet holes marking the front passenger door and rear driver’s side window. Officers scoured the area with metal detectors and a K-9 unit looking for evidence.