City sees 30th murder of ’07

DORCHESTER. A 39-year-old man was shot to death in the backyard of a  home here yesterday afternoon, according to police and witnesses — less than a day after a friend of the victim said he tried to get him to turn his life around.

The shooting took place around 1:40 p.m., on Nottingham Street. Police had made no arrests as of last night, but a witness told police the shooter may have run into a nearby house after the shooting. The victim was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he later died.

The friend, who asked to remain anonymous, only referred to the victim as “JoJo.” He added that the man had previously spent time in prison, and that he was saddened by the incident after speaking with him only hours earlier about getting a job and finding a way off the streets.

“I just got home from Florida [Wednesday],” the friend said yesterday afternoon. “I was out on the porch, and he was walking by and came up. ... I just asked him how life was treating him.”

Anyone with information can contact Boston Police anonymously by calling 800-494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to “CRIME” (27463)