A man killed in a shooting at an inner-city petrol station on Friday night had links to organised crime, New South Wales police say.
Emergency services responded to a shooting at Surry Hills at about 7.45pm on Friday, and found a man with gunshot wounds to his upper torso.
The man, believed to be in his 30s, was treated by paramedics on Cleveland Street, near Baptist Street, but succumbed to his injuries.
He was alone in his car at a service station when he was shot, NSW police Supt Andrew Garner said on Saturday.
“After that, he got out of the vehicle and went on foot down Cleveland Street… to a point where he eventually died near Baptist Street on Cleveland Street,” he told reporters.
Police also responded to reports of a car on fire in the nearby suburb of Kensington a short time later. They said they arrived to find a Porsche well alight.
Police believe the two incidents are linked.
Detectives alleged the shooting was “definitely a targeted attack”, but said there was no broader risk or threat to the public.
“The male who died had known links to organised crime so on that basis, we believe it was targeted – that he was the intended target of that attack,” Garner alleged.
The number of offenders and their movements after the shooting is still being investigated.
“This outrageous incident demonstrated a high level of reckless indifference to the public around that area at the time,” Garner said.
“We’re coming for you.”
Police are appealing for anyone with information or CCTV to contact Crime Stoppers.
