A 31-year-old man who was killed in a drive-by shooting became the first murder victim of 2012 Tuesday evening.

The man, whose name has not been released, was driving in the 4400 block of Ward about 7:20 p.m. "when a newer model silver Dodge Caliber pulled up next to him," Houston police say.

Someone in the Dodge -- described only as a black male -- shot into the driver's side of the victim's car. The victim "drove a short distance and then died," HPD says.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.