Charlotte Jolly, 19, died Tuesday after being shot in a west Saskatoon neighbourhood. (CBC)

Charlotte Dawn Jolly, a 19-year-old single mother, has been identified as Saskatoon's third homicide victim of the year.

Jolly was walking with two friends early Tuesday morning when they were confronted by four men — one pulled out a rifle and shot Jolly twice, one of the friends told CBC News.

The friend, who said he had known Jolly since they went to Nutana High School together, said they were about half a block from his apartment on Avenue W North on the city's west side when they encountered the men.

"I thought I was just going to fight them, you know," he said. "I was kind of getting ready, saying, 'What's up?'"

Saskatoon police said this car, which was stolen and recovered Tuesday, may have a connection to the homicide. (Saskatoon Police Service)

The men didn't answer, although one had a rifle concealed in his pant leg, the friend said.

"All of a sudden he started shuffling around and pulled out a gun," the friend said. "I turned around and started running and then she tried to get in the way and tell him, 'Are you actually going to shoot a girl?' And he shot her."

The friend said the attack was unprovoked and he doesn't know the four men. Shortly before 2 a.m., emergency crews found Jolly in a parking lot. She was taken to hospital, where she died.

She leaves behind a two-year-old daughter.

Police haven't made any arrests.

Investigators are also asking for the public's help regarding a stolen auto recovered from the same parking lot following the shooting.

The vehicle, a blue 1988 four-door, Cadillac Brougham, was reported stolen from near the corner of 31st Street West and Avenue P North between 10 p.m. and 1:50 a.m.

Police believe the car is connected to the homicide and want to know if anyone saw the people in the car.

Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.