"There was some type of confrontation between [the victim] and another operator of a vehicle who was coming along Granite Ave. heading toward Gallivan Boulevard," Evans said.

The shooting occurred after "an exchange of words between two occupants of different vehicles," Evans said.

A man in his 20s was killed in a "brazen" late afternoon shooting at a McDonald's on Gallivan Boulevard in Dorchester on Thursday, according to Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans.

Police were looking for assistance in identifying the second vehicle.

"We need the public's help here," said Evans. "I'm sure someone's seen something. If they have, please step forward."


The victim, who was not identified, was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

It was the seventh homicide this year, down from 13 at this time last year, according to police.

The shooting was also the second in less than 24 hours in Dorchester. On Wednesday, a 20-year-old was shot at about 8 p.m. in the 400 block of Columbia Road.

He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to Boston Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

It was unclear whether the two shootings were related, said David Estrada, a Boston police spokesman.

Thursday's shooting occurred at 4:12 p.m. at the fast-food franchise at 511 Gallivan Blvd., according to police. The franchise owner could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Police reviewed video from the restaurant's surveillance cameras, according to a McDonald's employee who declined to give her name.

In the hour after the shooting, a gray four-door Mercedes-Benz sedan was at the exit of the parking lot with its front passenger-side door ajar and evidence markers scattered around and on top of it, while a police officer took photographs.

Evans said the victim had been in the Mercedes, though he said he did not know if the man was inside the car when he was shot.


Police could also be seen searching the trunk of a black sedan parked in the lot with an evidence marker on top. Evans said that car was also struck by a bullet.

Bill Hunt of Plymouth was eating in Lucy's American Tavern across the street from the McDonald's when the shooting occurred and said he heard rapid shots.

"To me, it sounded almost like a shotgun," he said. "It was very loud. . . . It was very clear that it was a large-caliber firearm."

Police arrived in force almost immediately and evacuated the McDonald's, Hunt said.

Correspondent Jacob Geanous contributed. Jeremy C. Fox can be reached at jeremy.fox@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeremycfox. Evan Allen can be reached atevan.allen@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @evanmallen.