A man murdered on the Lewsey Farm estate last night has been named locally as Paul Foster, or ‘Big Shyne’.
Mr Foster, 46, was taken to the Luton & Dunstable Hospital just before midnight but died shortly afterwards from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The shooting happened in Brunel Road, which was today cordoned off as police forensics officers scoured the scene for evidence.
Appealing for information, Chief Supt Mark Turner of Bedfordshire Police said a white Transit-style van had been seen speeding away from the Brunel Road area after the shooting.
A silver BMW and silver Vauxhall Corsa found abandoned near the hospital are now being examined.
Beds Police said the victim’s family were currently being supported by specialist officers.
Saundra Glenn, a member of the independent advisory panel to the force, said: “I have spoken to the victim’s family and they are devastated.
“There have been rumours in the community but we couldn’t have foreseen this happening. It was completely out of the blue.”
Chief Supt Turner said the community was “utterly shocked” by the shooting.
“Officers are looking at every single lead and speaking to witnesses,” he said. “We need people to come forward and help us solve this crime.
“This is a complex inquiry and the major crime team will be leaving no stone unturned. We need the community to help us.”
The murder scene is only a short distance from Haymarket Road, where 22-year-old Houghton Regis man Richard Long was shot dead in 2009. Two men were later jailed for the killing.
Last September 19-year-old Delaney Brown was run over and killed in Vincent Road, Leagrave. A 22-year-old man has been charged with his murder.
Chief Supt Turner said he would not speculate on whether last night’s shooting was linked to any other case.
In 2007 the Foster family suffered another tragedy when Mr Foster’s nine-year-old son Devante was accidentally killed in a collision when he was out on his bike.
Devante, a pupil at Ferrars Junior School in Lewsey Road, was on his way to his grandmother’s house with his cousin when he was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra at a pelican crossing in Dunstable Road.
Residents today spoke of fears for their safety following the shooting.
Dad-of-two Zahid Siddique, 36, of Brunel Road, said: “This area is getting worse. It’s not good for the families who live around here.
“This is the second time we have had a shooting down here, and we have a lot of anti-social behaviour.
“I’ve lived here for nine years and it used to be a nice area. I’ve told my wife she shouldn’t walk around on her own.”
Another resident, Fola Owijori, 47, said: “The past two years things have got worse. It’s just not been right. A lot of people around here have got kids and it’s not nice for them.”
Anyone with information relating to the investigation should contact officers from the Major Crime Unit, in confidence, on 01707 355959, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, text information to 07786 200011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.