A man shot to death in a hail of bullets near the Irish Channel Thursday had recently testified in the trial of a man accused of killing Hot 8 Brass Band member Dinerral Shavers and was in the car when Shavers was killed, according to sources.

Sources said Thursday’s victim, 20-year-old Guy McEwan, was a friend of Shavers’ stepson. He testified in last week's trial of David Bonds, who was accused of killing Shavers. Bonds was acquitted by a jury. The victim did not identify Bonds in testimony.

The shooting occurred near the corner of Peniston and Laurel around 5 p.m.

At least 22 shell casing markers littered the street, while witnesses said they heard at least 40 shots.  Spent shell casings sat on the porch of a house nearby.

Spokesman Marlon Defillo said the NOPD is looking for two men who raced away in a black SUV, and while he said they are looking for a motive, he said the shooting was not a random act.

“We believe he was the person targeted,” said Defillo. “The persons meant to shoot him.”

Larry Miguez, the director of a Baptist Youth Center in the neighborhood, said the victim was a ‘good guy.’

"He would have been in Bible study tonight,” said Miguez. “He was a regular attender. Everyone loved him very much. It’s tough when you lose someone you love and it’s happening too much in our city unfortunately.”