Authorities in Bessemer are investigating a homicide after a 19-year-old man was shot dead Wednesday near a Citgo gas station on Fourth Avenue.

Bessemer police investigate a shooting near a gas station on Fourth Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.

Bessemer police officers found the male laying on the ground while answering a call about a person shot in an alley beside the gas station at 3:54 p.m. Sgt. Cortice Miles said the unidentified victim did die at the scene.

Investigators collected multiple shell casings at the scene, meaning many shots were fired. Miles said he doesn't know how many times the victim was shot or the motive behind the shooting. Police believe a vehicle is involved in the shooting, but did give a description.

Additional information about the shooting was not released at this time.

No arrests have been made in the case. Multiple witnesses agreed to be interviewed by police.

Miles said it was disheartening to hear that the first victim of the year was a young man.

"Being 19 years old is definitely young," Miles said. "You're at the point when you're right at your teen years and you're going into your 20s. So that is a very pivotal time. And unfortunately, this person didn't make it."

Updated at 8 p.m. to show this was not the first homicide of the year in Bessemer.