An argument at a Dorchester home turned deadly on Thursday afternoon, when one man was fatally shot and another man taken into custody, Boston police said.

The violence erupted around 4:20 p.m. at a home on West Cottage Street, after two men who knew each other engaged in a verbal dispute that “escalated ... to an unfortunate point of death,’’ Police Commissioner William B. Evans told reporters at the scene.

He said responding officers found the shooting victim, who appeared to be in his late 20s to early 30s, in the doorway of the home and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect was being interrogated by homicide detectives Thursday night, according to Evans.

“We’re waiting to see if he’s going to be charged,’’ the commissioner said.

Police said the suspect also appears to be in his late 20s or early 30s.

Officials did not identify the two men or say how they knew one another.

“It’s unfortunate,’’ Evans said. “4:20 in the afternoon, and we have one [man] deceased,’’ along with “two families who are going to be impacted forever here.’’

He said his officers have taken hundreds of firearms off city streets this year, but the problem of gun violence persists.

“Unfortunately too many guns are laying around homes, and this is what you get,’’ Evans said.

Police remained at the three-story brick residence around 7:15 p.m.

The residence was sealed off with yellow police tape, and a woman who spoke with several uniformed officers declined to comment after-ward.

“Don’t talk to me,’’ the woman said. “Please don’t talk to me. I appreciate it.’’

Several neighbors declined to comment, though one young man linked the violence to Dudley Street, a major thoroughfare nearby.

“Dudley Street’s too hot,’’ said the man, who did not provide his name.

Andy Rosen of the Globe staff and Globe correspondent Reenat Sinay contributed to this report. Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.