Man killed in public shooting as cars found burning in Riverstone, Western Sydney

A man has been shot dead in what police suspect was a suburban hit before two cars were found torched in Western Sydney.

The victim was shot in the upper torso before his killer, believed to be a male who pulled the trigger from inside a red Audi, sped away from the scene.

Horrified witnesses urgently called Triple-0 about 6pm Wednesday, telling them what they saw on Annaluke St in Riverstone.

Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics, the man could not be saved.

He is yet to be formally identified but police believe he was in his mid 30s.

“We do believe it was a targeted attack,” Superintendent Jason Joyce said, adding it was too early to confirm any gangland links but that police are “exploring all options”.

Authorities believe the victim may live in the area and have been out for a walk when he was killed.

“It’s very brazen and it’s a shame that this has happened in our community,” Joyce said.

“You’d want to think that in a residential area like that people could wander the streets at that time of night and be safe.”

It is unclear how many shots were fired but police are now canvassing the area, speaking to locals and chasing CCTV.

“My heart goes out to the family of this victim and certainly any of the people that witnessed it,” Joyce said.

“It would have been a horrific thing to witness and it’s certainly not something we tolerate in the community.”

The crime scene on Annaluke St is one of three being processed by police.

About 15 minutes after the shooting, the Audi was found ablaze on Riverstone Rd in the same suburb, about a minute’s drive away.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze but the car was destroyed.

Another vehicle, believed to be a white van that was reportedly seen driving around the area prior to the shooting, was also found on fire on Matthias St in the same suburb.

As investigations continue, police are urging anyone with any information to come forward.

The incident follows a spate of public shootings in Sydney.

Artemios Mintzas, 60, was charged after allegedly firing about 50 shots at passing vehicles — including a police car — from his Georges River Rd premises in Croydon Park on Sunday night.

On Tuesday, shots were fired during a major police operation aimed at intercepting an alleged murder plot targeting a father picking up his child in Revesby.

Three men — Kevin Mundine, 19, Greall Tighe, 18, and Tyrone Tuiluga Rio, 26 — were arrested and have since been charged.