EDMONTON – Police say Edmonton's latest homicide where a man was shot in broad daylight was not a random attack.

Jesse Lee James, 23, of Edmonton, was shot around 3 p.m. Saturday in a residential community.

Edmonton police spokeswoman Karen Carlson said James was known to police.

"(James) is known to city police and residents should take comfort in that this is not believed to be random," said Carlson.

"Information continues to come forward (and) officers have quite a job ahead of them in terms of sifting through information."

Carlson could not comment on James' involvement with police and said it isn't believed he lived in the area where he was murdered.

One witness who wished to remain anonymous said the crime scene on Saturday was "messed up."

"I saw his brains all over," he said.

Nishant Bihole, 10, said he was walking to a friend's house when he saw two males fighting in a Red Escalade.

"One guy was trying to run away but the other guy with the gun wouldn't let him go," said Bihole.

"At the end (as I was walking away), boom -- I heard a gunshot."

Bihole's father, Naishadh, said the family has lived in the area for three years and has never had any problems.

"(One more) incident like this and we will move to a safer place," he said. "Our kids are scared."

Witnesses in the area reported seeing a white BMW car drive off after the shooting with two black males inside. Police could not confirm these details and would not release information on suspects.

The gang and drug units have been notified, however, Carlson said that is common in such cases.

Cory Gladue said he was on his way to visit his ex-wife and child around 4 p.m. when he discovered the grisly scene.

"It was eerie -- a big tent with legs sticking out of it and blood rolling down," said Gladue. "It's pretty horrific to see someone dead like that -- it shouldn't end (that way)."

Given the time of the shooting, a number of witnesses have come forward.

James marks the city's 18th homicide of 2010.

The investigation continues.