Two brothers shot to death in a Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue area stairwell this week may have been lured there by someone they believed to be a friend, the victims' cousin says.

Justin Waterman, 18, and Jerome Waterman, 22, both of Toronto, were found at 325 Bogert Ave. after police received a call just before 4 p.m. ET on Monday.

'Some friend of theirs, who's yet unknown to us, contacted them and invited them out for a social call'—Andrew Craig, cousin of the victims

As the family of the victims prepares for the funeral arranagements and continues begging for answers, Andrew Craig believes his cousins were tricked into leaving their home by someone seeking to do them harm.

Both victims were at home Monday afternoon with their girlfriends when they each received a phone call from a friend, asking them to meet at an apartment building in the Bathurst and Sheppard area.

Later that afternoon, police discovered their bodies riddled with bullets in a stairwell. Investigators believe they were targeted, as does Craig.

Family believes 'social call' was death trap

"Some friend of theirs, who's yet unknown to us, contacted them and invited them out for a social call. They did have some friends in common, even though they were four years apart," Craig said.

Jerome Waterman, 22, was shot and killed alongside his brother, Justin, 18, on Monday. (Courtesy Andrew Craig)

"The only thing we can possibly imagine was some kind of old grudge or vendetta being carried out in their death."

Both victims were known to police, and investigators are still searching for suspects in the slayings.

Shell casings from the scene were believed to have come from a semi-automatic firearm.

Craig said his cousins both had some troubles as teenagers, but as young adults they began to turn their lives around. Jerome, the elder of the two, had recently become a father to a baby girl.

"They came through trials and tribulations as teenagers and were definitely on the other side of it, from everyone's perspective," he said.

Craig said he and the rest of the family are asking anyone with information to please come forward.

"I feel like if anybody does know, and they don't speak out, they are continuing the circle of violence," he said.