A lone masked gunman in "military-style clothing" murdered a "Mr Big" nightclub security boss outside his home as he got out of his car.
Paul Massey, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene of the targeted attack in Salford, Greater Manchester, yesterday evening.
The father-of-five had managed to call emergency services from his driveway to say he had been shot and needed help.
Several eyewitnesses saw the offender approach Massey at about 7.30pm as he got out of his silver BMW vehicle in Manchester Road in Clifton and shoot at him before he left on foot down the side of nearby St Anne's Church, said police.
The assailant, a white male, was said to be wearing a green or khaki military-style top and trousers, with the lower part of his face concealed.
Mr Massey's body has not yet been formally identified but his next-of-kin have been informed.
Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Paul at this distressing time and we have specially trained officers supporting them.
"We know that shots were fired at Paul and do not believe this was a random attack. We are still working to establish a motive, which is not yet known.
"We have extra officers in the area to offer reassurance to the community and if anyone has any concerns, please talk to our officers.
"If you were in the area at the time and saw anyone acting suspiciously in the minutes before the shooting, or saw anyone leaving the scene, please contact police.
"I would urge anybody with information about what happened last night to come forward. I want to reiterate that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence."
Massey is a well-known figure in his home city of Salford, and had been involved in security firms operating in Manchester and beyond.
He was born and raised in the city and enjoyed a popular and fearsome reputation - despite being not much over five feet tall and continuing to live a modest life in his home town.
He had first been dubbed "Mr Big" by a local councillor in Salford following civil disturbances in the city in the 1990s, and he was later jailed for 14 years for a savage knife attack outside a nightclub in Manchester city centre.