A murder near a Dorchester elementary school today forced police to put the school in “safe mode” and keep an eye on voters as they showed up to cast ballots.

The police have since cleared the site, but the suspect is still at large.

“They should make sure I have a safe place to vote,” said Katherine Crawford, who came to vote at the John Marshall Elementary School on Westville Street.

A Boston police spokeswoman confirmed the male victim shot at 11:56 a.m. at Westville and Bowdoin streets has died. No further information was available.

Election Department Chairwoman Geraldine Cuddyer said the shooting had “next to no impact” on polling at the school, but voters are being watched.

“My understanding is that voting is going on. The police have secured the area,” said Cuddyer. “They are making sure voters are getting in and out of the polling place without impediment.”

There are about 650 students who attend the school, according to BPS figures from the 2008 school year.

“The day continues as normal,” school spokesman Matthew Wilder said.

Boston police spokesman Officer Joe Zanoli said police are looking for a black male, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and is wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and baseball cap. He was last seen fleeing toward Greenbrier Street, Zanoli said.

Wynter Brown, 29, of Dorchester, said the violent outburst did not stop him from voting. He voted for City Councilor Michael Flaherty Jr. for mayor and Tito Jackson for city councilor at large.

Brown cited a plan by Jackson to offer Hub colleges and universities a tax break if their students mentor inner city youth.

“If we got more kids being mentored by th best and brighest while they’re still in the state, maybe this wouldn’t happen,” said Brown.