A Birmingham Public Works employee was shot to death this morning while mowing grass in the city's Wylam neighborhood.

The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. on 4114 8th Avenue Wylam, Birmingham police spokesman Sean Edwards said. The victim was found deceased, sitting on his city-issued lawn mover.

Edwards said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle, but investigators have not released the make or model of car. No one is currently in custody.

The victim, a black male in his 50s, was "targeted," Edwards said. "That's very bold and extremely careless and reckless... It's 10:30 in the morning, the individual is at work, and you show up here and end his life."

The shooting happened across the street from Wylam K-8 School. The school was briefly placed on lockdown, but the lockdown was soon lifted and Birmingham police officers were stationed at the school.

Dozens of the victim's family members and neighbors filled the sidewalk near where the victim was found, visibly emotional.

"Really, one homicide in our city is too many," Edwards said.

This story will be updated.

AL.com reporter Carol Robinson contributed to this report.