OCEANSIDE, Calif. - A homicide investigation was under way Wednesday into the slaying of a 16-year-old boy in Oceanside, possibly by one or more gang members.

Officers received reports of a possible stabbing at Center and Division streets about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to Oceanside police Lt. Leonard Mata.

They found the victim suffering from chest trauma and lying on the ground in the courtyard of a nearby apartment complex at 230 S. Weitzel St., the lieutenant said in a statement. The boy was pronounced dead after arriving at a local trauma center.

"There are no suspects in custody at this time," Mata said early Wednesday morning. "The incident is possibly gang-related."

Police canvassed the area in search of evidence and found some on Center Street, just around the corner from where the victim was found, Mata said without elaboration.

The boy's name was not immediately released. Mata said he was an Oceanside resident.

The cause of death will be released by the county coroner's office at a later time, according to the lieutenant.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Oceanside police Detective Tyrone Dunn at (760) 435-4054.