The man shot and killed in northwest Atlanta early Thursday has been identified as Damon Brittian, 33, of Atlanta.

Authorities taped off a large perimeter around the scene, at Cameron M. Alexander Boulevard near Paines Street.

"Officers were patrolling in the area and heard gunfire" around 5 a.m., Atlanta police homicide commander Lt. Paul Guerrucci said. They subsequently found a man who was shot multiple times and was dead at the scene.

"According to witnesses, they heard some type of argument ... that preceded the shooting ... so we don't believe this is a random act," and appears that the people involved in the shooting knew each other, Guerrucci said.

He said police believe the victim lived near the shooting scene.