Neighbours heard 'several shots' ring out and the family of a man believed to have been gunned down screaming in the street.
Details have emerged of the alleged shooting in Greenock in the early hours of this morning as a major police investigation is launched after the 37-year-old passed away in hospital.
A gunman is also reported to have been seen fleeing the scene on an electric scooter as the horrific chain of event unfolded, the Daily Record reports.
READ MORE: Man dies in Glasgow hospital after being seriously injured in 'shooting'
Police and forensic teams locked down the area surrounding a house on Nairn Road, targeted shortly after 1am.
An underworld source told the Record: "The shooter was on an electric scooter and took off straight away.
"The scooters are obviously small and very fast, and the area is like a rabbit warren with loads of lanes and staircases connecting the streets.
"The scooters mean they could escape really quickly without having to spend much time on the main roads.
"That means there's much less chance of them being spotted by anyone, so less chance of them being identified.
"The cops on the investigation are working flat out on it trying to look into every possible scenario."
It is understood there was a drugs raid on the street in recent weeks but it remains unclear if it is connected to the alleged shooting.
Officers stood guard while forensic officers in white suits could be seen working in the front garden of a property as detectives carried out door to door enquiries.
Numerous police officers were also spotted patrolling the local community.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 1.15am on Tuesday, February 28, police were called to a house on Nairn Road, Greenock where a man was found seriously injured.
"Officers attended and the 37-year-old man was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he died a short time later. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
"Officers are treating his death as suspicious and enquiries are continuing."
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