Police have identified a man shot dead inside a car at Salt Ash on Sunday afternoon.
45-year-old David King, from Tanilba Bay, was found with a gunshot wound to the head after police responded to reports of a car crash on Hideaway Drive shortly before 2pm.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, he could not be revived.
Police are treating it as a targeted attack and believe Mr King’s shooter was in the vehicle with him prior to the incident.
Initial inquiries suggest a man with a gun was seen fleeing the area before being collected by a white Santa Fe.
A similar car was later found burnt out on Masonite Road at Heatherbrae and police are investigating if the vehicle is linked to the shooting.
Crime scenes have been established at both sites and Strike Force Breve is investigating.
Anyone who may have seen a whiter Ford Ranger utility or a white Hyundia Santa Fe in the Salt Ash, Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae areas between 8am and 3pm on Sunday is urged to contact Raymond Terrace police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
EARLIER:
A homicide investigation is underway after a man was allegedly shot dead in a car at Port Stephens.
Emergency services were called to Hideaway Drive, Salt Ash at about 1:45pm yesterday following reports a vehicle had hit a tree.
The male driver of the Ford Ranger utility was found suffering a gunshot wound – it’s reported that initially emergency services weren’t sure if he had suffered a wound from the crash or from a gunshot wound when they arrived at the scene.
Sadly, he could not be revived and died at the scene.
The man is yet to be formally identified.
A crime scene has been established at Salt Ash and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, after a second vehicle was located burnt out – both will be examined by specialist forensic officers.
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Detectives – assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad – have established Strike Force Breve to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, which is being treated as suspicious.
Anyone with information or dash cam vision which may be able to assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Image credit: NSW Police Force Facebook page