MIAMI (CBS4) - Two Miami men were rushed to the hospital after being shot multiple times in an early morning ambush just blocks from a school.

Miami police spokeswoman Kenia Reyes said it happened around 8 a.m. in the 15 hundred block of NW 1st Place.

"Witness did see two people inside the SUV, the passenger jumps out of the car and just begins starts shooting at the two people sitting outside the apartment," said Reyes.

According to witnesses, the driver of the van, described as a black boxy SUV with tinted windows, wore a mask; the shooter wore a ski mask.

Both men, who were in their 20s, were rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital where they immediately underwent surgery. Both are listed in critical condition.  Police have not released the names of the injured men or what may have led to the shooting.

Reyes said the shooting was particularly disturbing because it happened at a time when children were walking to area bus stops and to Phyllis Wheatley Elementary, at 18th and NW 1st Place, less than three blocks away. Police say some may have heard the shots, other may have even witnessed the shooting.

"Kids were going to school, parents were dropping their children off, perhaps they may have seen the small boxy SUV in the area," said Reyes.

Anyone with information on shooting is asked to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 493-TIPS.