WATCH: Artesia Gunshot Victim Collapses in Cerritos Promenade Parking Lot

A man who was shot in the abdomen in Artesia late Monday night, drove himself to the Cerritos Promenade where he collapsed to the ground in pain, prompting a late night contruction crew working nearby to call for help. 

According to a group of construction workers at the Panda Express at the Cerritos shopping center on the corner of Gridley Road and South Street, the victim and his girlfriend were first spotted sitting and talking outside of Wing Stop at about 11:30 p.m. Nov. 19 -- after the business had already closed for the night. A few minutes later, the man left alone in a black Ford Explorer. 

Shortly after 11:40 p.m., a resident in the 11400 block of Dena Street in Artesia, said he heard gunfire outside of his home and when he went to investigate, he saw the wounded victim run to his SUV and speed off.

The victim then drove to the corner of 186th Street and Gridley, left his car running in the middle of the street outside of Home Fabrics & Rugs, and exited his vehicle. 

A witness driving in the area saw the victim drop to his knees in the middle of the street and try to flag down help. A few seconds later, the victim drove south on Gridley Road to the Cerritos Promenade, where he then exited his SUV and fell to the ground writhing in pain while wrapped in a jacket that was soiled with blood. The same construction workers and the man's girlfriend immediately ran to his side and called for help. 

Arriving Cerritos Sheriff's Station deputies tried to question the victim, but he struggled to answer any questions and was moaning in pain while on the ground.

He was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and was listed in critical but stable condition, said Lt. Eric Linblom of the Lakewood Sheriff's Station, which is handling the investigation because the shooting took place in the city of Artesia.

After the victim was transported, Lakewood deputies returned to Dena Street to collect evidence and interview possible witnesses. 

Linblom said the victim refused to cooperate and would not tell deputies what happened. Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to call the Lakewood Sheriff's Station at (562) 623-3500.