Caldwell Ave. homicide victim identified as Hamzeh Serhan, 20

Theyoung manshot to death on Caldwell Avenue in Ottawa'sCarlington neighbourhood in broad daylight Wednesday has been identified as Hamzeh Serhan.

The 20-year-old, who is known to police, was found outside a townhouse complexnear 1500 Caldwell Ave., off Merivale Road, just before 3:30 p.m.

He was taken to hospital by paramedics, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators believe there are several people who witnessed the shooting, but who are not coming forward.

Serhanhas a criminal record, and received one year of probation after being found guilty of obstructing a peace officer in June 2016.

More recently, he was charged with possession of a drug for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a drug and possession of stolen property, but all three charges were withdrawn in May.

'All my force,on his chest'

Witnesses told CBC News they sawpeople fleeing the scene and another small group of peopletrying to helpSerhanafter the shooting. Among them wasFabienKalala, who used to live in the area and was visitingrelatives Wednesday afternoon.

Kalala's three-year-old daughter was playing outside when he said he heard a burst of four gunshots. He brought her and other children to safety, thenheard more gunfire anddecided to intervene.

"I cannot just stay away, watching from far. That's why I got involved," he said.

Kalalasaw Serhan conscious and bleedingon the ground.

"It was bloody for sure, but my first instinct was to keep the person alive and to try to put as much pressure, all my force,on his chest to keep the blood circulating in his body," he said.

Lost consciousness

Trainedin first aid,Kalala said he tried to keep talking toSerhanbut that the victim lost consciousness after a couple minutes.

Kalalabegan to administer CPR while others called 911. Minutes later, paramedics arrived and took Serhan to hospital.

The adrenaline Kalalahad been feeling wore off when he heard the man had died.

"Everything we did, everything we tried,"he said. "I present my condolences to the family. I don't know the person."

'My daughter is still in shock'

Kalala's daughter has been traumatized by the incident, he said, and told him she doesn't want to return to the neighbourhood.

"My daughter is still in shock. She's three years old, I didn't want her to see something like this. I hope she won't keep that image that this place, Ottawa or Caldwell, is a bad place," he said.

He hopes the city and local politicians work to make the neighbourhood a better place, he said.

Another witness to the aftermath said she fears for her children's safety.

Caldwell shooting reactions

7 years ago

Duration 0:58

Caldwell shooting reactions

No arrests, suspects

ManoucheMaguyMoketold CBC News she's felt unsafe for four years livingin the community housing building,buttoday was the final straw.

"It changed how I feel about this neighbourhood, I'm scared," she said. "You're with somebody today and tomorrow the person is gone."

Moke decided not to let her son go to an after-school program Wednesdaysince the shooting happened around the time children come home from school.

No arrests had been made as of Thursday morning andpolice said they hadn't yet identified any suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

The fatal shooting is the 12th homicide in Ottawa so far this year.