Estate shooting murder victim was targeted

A man gunned down on a residential estate was the victim of a "targeted" attack, police said today.

A murder probe was launched after the 22-year-old was found with serious head injuries on the pavement in Haymarket Road, Luton, just before 9pm yesterday.

The man, from Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, was taken to hospital where he later died, police said.

An investigation has been launched by the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit and today officers conducted fingertip searches in the area, which remained cordoned off for forensic tests.

A post-mortem examination was expected to take place later today.

Detective Superintendent Mick Hanlon, from the Beds and Herts Major Crime Unit, said patrols had been stepped up in the area.

He said: "We believe this to be a targeted attack and not a random incident.

"I would like to reassure residents of Luton that everything is being done to identify and catch the people responsible and that events such as these remain extremely rare."

It is thought the man was shot in the head, but a Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman said this could not be confirmed until results of a post-mortem examination were back.

She said detectives were still keeping an "open mind" about the motive for the shooting.

Residents on the street today spoke of the shock of the violent incident.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, heard the shooting happen just outside the home she shares with her parents.

The 32-year-old said: "I heard a bang and looked out of the window and this guy was down on the floor. It's right outside our house.

"My mum and dad called the ambulance and the police.

"There was a gang of people, about four I think. They got into a car and sped off. As soon as it happened they ran.

"That's all we heard, the bang and then the screech of the tyres.

"The man was down on the floor when mum and dad went out there. He had been shot in the head.

"I've got no idea what it was all about, but there was money all round the body."