Man shot dead in community centre car park in Punchbowl, southwest Sydney

A man has been shot dead in what is believed to be a targeted attack in a community centre car park during the evening peak in Sydney’s southwest.

Emergency services were called to the car park on Rossmore Ave in Punchbowl about 5.50pm on Wednesday after the man was shot several times.

Witnesses reported hearing several loud gunshots before seeing the victim lying motionless but breathing faintly.

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The man died at the scene despite efforts by paramedics to save him. 

He is yet to be identified but is believed to be a 32-year-old from Kingsgrove.

Acting Superintendent Dean Johnstone said the man is known to police and was alone at the time of the incident.

A witness said several loud gunshots were heard. Credit: 7NEWS

“We believe this was a targeted attack. We do not believe that other persons were at risk. However, obviously, in a public place like this, those actions cannot be tolerated as it potentially endangered innocent members of the community,” he told reporters.

Police were told a car, believed to be a be silver coloured Lexus sedan, was seen leaving the area after the shooting.

A crime scene has been established and investigations are underway.

Johnstone declined to comment on whether there was an underworld or gangland hit out on the victim and if the man was aware, telling reporters: “I don’t have any information to suggest one way or another.”

But Johnstone issued a firm warning that those responsible will be identified.

“We will identify the offenders and we will put them before the court,” Johnstone said.

A man has been shot dead in Sydney. Credit: 7NEWS

However, it remains unclear how many people were responsible.

He added it is very fortunate that no other person was injured during the brazen early evening attack.

Anyone with information, or dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area at the time, particularly of the vehicle, is urged to contact Campsie Police Station or Crime Stoppers.

It follows back-to-back shootings in Sydney last week, with Marco Tapia, a 23-year-old biomedical student, killed at his Glen Alpine home on Monday when gunmen stormed in looking for someone else.

In Merrylands West, 40-year-old Joshua MacDonald was shot outside his friend’s home in Merrylands West, shielding two children from the gunfire.