A 16-year-old died late Sunday after an afternoon stabbing that took place in broad daylight on a busy Dorchester street.

Police found the teen shortly after 4:30 p.m. near the corner of Columbia Road and Devon Street. Investigators did not identify him. Police said late Sunday that a person of interest was wanted in the incident, but that no charges had been filed.

The victim was taken to Boston Medical Center and was in critical condition into the evening, according to Police Commissioner William B. Evans.

Evans urged members of the public to share any information they have about the case, which police had initially reported as a shooting.

“This is a very busy street,’’ he said. “We need people to step up.’’

Police activity centered outside El Coli Market, a convenience store at Columbia Road and Devon Street.

A person who answered the phone at the store declined to comment.

A police dog sniffed the ground around the scene, as a dark winter hat lay on the ground close to where the attack occurred.

Across the road, cars and onlookers crowded outside Deliverance Temple Worship Center.

A construction worker at a home a block away said he saw a body on the ground when police arrived. He declined to give his name.

No further information was available about the person wanted in the incident or what the motive for the attack may have been.

Evans said officers had received reports of a blue ATV fleeing the area, but police later said the person on that vehicle was questioned and released.

Andy Rosen of the Globe staff contributed to this article. Astead W. Herndon can be reached at astead.herndon@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @AsteadWH.