The attack happened around 11:30 p.m. Sunday when a group of men traveling in a white van marked "Soft Touch Cleaning Service" opened fire on the man while he was driving near 49th Street and Springfield Avenue.
The victim's car crashed into a utility pole.
The men allegedly jumped out, bound the victim's ankles and wrists with duct tape and drove him to the 7400 block of Summerdale Avenue behind Northeast High School.
The victim was beaten and shot again at that location then robbed of $3,800, police say.
The suspects left the man and fled.
The 38-year-old victim was rushed to Aria Health/Torresdale, where he is listed in critical condition.
He initially told police that he was attacked shortly after leaving SugarHouse Casino. However, investigators learned that the he was never at the casino Sunday night.
In addition, a second person who was in the vehicle with the victim at the time of the attack was uninjured.
Police now say this whole incident was the result of a drug deal gone bad.
By Monday afternoon investigators had linked the incident to a torched van found in the 4700 block of Melon Street in West Philadelphia.
