A large group of friends gathered Sunday at the scene of Saturday night's homicide in East Palo Alto to light a candle and say a prayer for Lamont Coleman.

The 21-year old was gunned down late Saturday night as he walked along Capitol Avenue.

Neighbors said they heard the shots.

"I just heard loud gunshots," said Losana Feao, a neighbor. "Four gunshots."

East Palo Alto police responded quickly, but by that time the shooter or shooters had taken off.

"Fled in an unknown direction, unknown means what we really need right now are witnesses," said East Palo Alto police Sgt. Jeff Liu.

Authorities do not know why Coleman was in the neighborhood or why he may have been targeted.

Police have been looking into his past, which includes a charge related to the accidental shooting of his girlfriend in 2011; however, they do not believe that was a factor.

"We know who he is obviously because of the October 2011 incident but right now that is not a potential motive for us because they got back together and they're happy together," Liu said.

Authorities were conducting additional interviews Saturday and had scheduled an autopsy.

In the meantime, neighbors remain on edge.

"I have to cover myself," said Prem Prakash. "I just went inside and locked the door, that's it I did. It's kind of disappointing because I thought our city was really making a lot of progress."

Coleman's friends said they will always remember him.