MONROE — A man was found dead in his car early Monday in Marshville, leading police to open a homicide investigation.

Mitchell Gene Little Jr., of 127 Ridge Run in Monroe, was found dead in a white Pontiac Grand Prix shortly after 12:30 a.m. on U.S. Highway 74 near Elizabeth Avenue on the west side of Marshville. The car had been shot several times.

Police did not know if Little was shot while in his car, or if he was shot and got in his car and tried to drive away. Investigators have not determined if Little died from the gunshot or the wreck.

Marshville Police Chief Mike Gaddy said the car was sealed and sent to the State Bureau of Investigation lab for further investigation.

Little, 24, was headed east and hit an electrical pole beside the westbound lanes. Police blocked all four lanes of the highway from 1 a.m. to about 5 a.m. Monday.