Residents in Bridgeport are on edge and in mourning Friday after police say there were two murders in 12 hours.

Residents are gathering for a vigil on Union Avenue where police say 27-year-old Raymond Sierra was fatally shot on the East Side Thursday night.

The vigil is taking place as police continue to try and figure out who killed him and why.

Those paying their respects are remembering 27-year-old Raymond Sierra not only as a beloved member of the community, but as a loving dad with five children, and as a role model to young people in the city's boxing community.

"He would look after the boxers that needed the help, and he would help them and encourage them," said Ashley Sanchez, who knew him. "And let them know what they were doing to better themselves, so he did it all."

The shooting happened just before 8 p.m. in the 600 block of Union Avenue, police say.

Detectives say Sierra was with family on his front porch before the shooting. They say at some point, he made his way onto the street. What happened next is unclear, but police say someone then came up to Sierra and shot him in the chest.

When police arrived at the scene, they say Sierra's family was in the process of taking him to the hospital. Officers took the family to the hospital where Sierra died.

"I love daddy and he was the best daddy ever, and I am going to miss him," said his daughter, Makayla Sierra.

"It hurts, but I know it's really going to hurt when we see him in the casket, because they did not even let us see him," said Raymond's cousin, Kiara Oqueneo.

It's unknown if there were one or more suspects, and if they took off in a car or on foot.

One family member who was across town at the time says getting the phone call was something she will never forget.

"I'm like, 'Wait, no this can't be. This can't be, what are you talking about?' I was like, 'Wait, I will call you back. I will call you back,'" she said.

Just 12 hours before that, another man was fatally shot in the Black Rock section of the city around 8 a.m.    

Police say they found a 44-year-old victim shot to death in a car near the intersection of Fox Street and Canfield Avenue.

Authorities say he was shot multiple times before he crashed into a tree. The suspect or suspects in this case are still at large as well.

Police have no reason to believe that the two shootings are linked, and say they are isolated incidents.

As of now, they do believe each of the victims was targeted. They say they're following up on leads in each case and are hopeful they'll find those responsible.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to call Detective Cintron at 203-581-5227, the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS, or Bridgeport police at 203-581-5205.