MADISON, Wis. -- Residents gathered at a community meeting Wednesday night to talk, share concerns and get more information from police about a stabbing death on Madison's south side earlier this week.

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About 100 people gathered at the neighborhood meeting at St. Mary's Hospital. The hospital is across the street from where the victim, neighborhood resident Joel Marino, was found unresponsive in an alley just off the 700 block of South Park Street, near West Shore Drive, on Monday afternoon.

Authorities said Marino died from stab wounds and that they are treating his death as a homicide.

Police said the stabbing might have occurred inside Marino's home and that he was trying to get to St. Mary's for help.

Police said that, at this point, they can't rule out that the slaying wasn't a random act. That it could have been a random attack has neighbors worried because it is a low-crime area and Marino was well-liked in the neighborhood, WISC-TV reported.

Alderwoman Julie Kerr, who represents the district, said the neighborhood meeting was a great way to get people together to talk about what happened and to cope with the loss of a neighbor, and, for many, a friend.

"We want to make sure that people here in this neighborhood directly hear from the police about the investigation and the steps that they're taking to solve this crime and also hear from city leaders about the steps that the city is taking," Kerr said.

Marino was a well-known figure in the community who stood up for his neighborhood. Friends said he was always trying to do his part to make the world a better place.

Many who knew Marino said they are still in a state of disbelief about his slaying. His best friend, Bryan Bazan, said that no one deserves what happened but that Marino deserved it the least.

Bazan said he couldn't believe it when he learned of the death Monday night.

"When we got the phone call, that his had happened, it just -- you can't imagine. How could this happen to Joel?" Bazan said.

Bazan said Marino was very in touch with his community, spoke out on issues that he felt deserved attention and just cared about everyone around him. Bazan said he and other friends got together with Marino almost every weekend.

"You don't think about things like this happening -- especially not to somebody that you know and somebody like Joel. He wasn't a bad person; he wasn't into crime; he was a mentor to kids. He was an accomplished musician -- he was just the best guy out there. And for this to happen is just such a tragedy," Bazan said.

Marino's obituary in Wednesday's paper read "Joel was quite possibly the greatest guy ever," which is a statement echoed by Marino's friends and family.

Marino's family, friends, and co-workers have set up a reward fund through McFarland State Bank. Checks can be made payable to "The Joel Marino Reward Fund." The bank's address is:

5990 Hwy 51
Box 7
McFarland, WI 53558

They said they hope a substantial reward will motivate someone to come forward who might have some valuable information. An anonymous donor has already contributed $30,000 to the fund, WISC-TV reported.

Meanwhile, authorities said that a person of interest is being sought in connection to the victim's death. The man, who was seen in the area at the time, is described as 6 feet to 6 feet 1 inch tall. He was last seen wearing a white stocking cap with a red "W" on the front and a tan, sheepskin-type jacket and was carrying a gray backpack, which appeared to be new. The man's race is unknown.

Police said that anyone with information on this case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

Investigators working on the homicide said Wednesday that they have recovered a hat and backpack that they believe were worn by the person of interest they are searching for.

Police said both items were recovered during a search of the neighborhood on the day of the slaying. Investigators said that items, including the hat and backpack, are being taken to the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory for forensic tests.

Authorities also found a knife inside Marino's home. Police said it's unclear if it is the weapon used in the attack but it has also been sent to the State Crime Lab.