One man who had plans to turn his life around, was gunned down, along with his friend, in a hail of gunfire in Reading.

The double homicide happened Tuesday morning, around 2:30 a.m., in the 1100 block of Franklin Street.

The victims were identified as Rafael Alequin, 22, of Berks County, and Dario Ricci McLemore, 22, of Palmer Twp., Northampton County.

Both shooting victims were friends, police said.

Alequin's brother spoke with 69 News, but asked that we not reveal his identity for fear of retaliation.

"It makes me feel really bad, and I have no hope for the city of Reading," said Rafael's brother.

Tuesday morning, a police officer patrolling the area said she heard a gunshot and subsequently found a car double-parked.

Alequin was found shot dead behind the wheel of the car, investigators said.

McLemore tried to escape, neighbors said, but in the end he was overcome by his bullet wounds.

"I saw him [McLemore] stagger down and fall," said Carl Padilla, who lives on the block. "[I] heard him take his last breath."

Family members say that Alequin had some problems with the law, but was on his way to turning his life around.

"My brother was just a normal person trying to get by and he was trying reform his life, and unfortunately that was taken away from him," said Alequin's brother.

Alequin and McLemore are believed to have been targeted, police said.

If you have any information about this double homicide you can call Crime Alert: Berks County at 877-373-9913.

Anonymous calls are accepted.

Any information leading to an arrest could earn you a reward.