BURLINGTON, N.C. — Police are investigating the shooting death of 21-year-old Tony Daye Jr. who was found shot several times near a bathroom at Burlington City Park Monday night.

Daye was shot in the chest and legs and later died from his injuries, according to police.

Some residents who live near the park heard the gunshots.

“I heard, I think it was like, two shots at first then a short pause,” said Rick, who lives across the street from the park. “Then it was three other shots after that.”

Rick (who didn’t want his last name published) remembers running to his window after hearing a round of gunshots outside his home.

“Fifteen seconds later, there were sirens all over the place, cops were swarming the park,” he said.

Rick says he and his wife walk through the park every night.

“We literally walked right past there three hours before that happened,” he said.

Alexandria Cruz also lives nearby and visits the park once or twice a week.

“We try to bring the kids out here and play around,” Cruz said. “It’s kind of scary now that this happened.”

Police haven’t made any arrests yet but believe the shooting wasn’t random.

“I have every reason to believe that the shooters knew who their target was and that it was not random and was an intentional act,” said Captain Brett Taylor with Burlington police.

With homes and businesses near the park, Taylor says the shooting could have been much worse.

“Any of those houses could have been hit by the gunfire,” he said.

“It’s a shame that people went ahead and used city facilities for something that is completely absurd,” Taylor said.