SYRACUSE -- A double slaying in a city park was not a random act of violence, police said Thursday.

The victims of the New Year's Eve murders were identified Thursday as cousins Jodie Cohens, 24, of Geneva, and William Fowler, 25, of Syracuse.

Police Sgt. Tom Connellan said investigators believe Cohens and Fowler were "absolutely targeted" by their assailant or assailants.

A person walking in Lincoln Park discovered the bodies about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The small park is located on the city's north side, surrounded by middle-class neighborhoods.

Cohens was found dead in the driver's seat of a 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Fowler was found in the roadway and died shortly after his arrival at University Hospital, police said.

The murders were the 24th and 25th of the year in Syracuse, which matches 2002 when the city had a record 25 murders.