Residents of a suburban Maitland street have told of the moments their neighbourhood became a crime scene - when a 34-year-old man was bashed and shot in the stomach in the front yard of an Aberglasslyn home.
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Police believe the shooting on Tuesday night was targeted and were searching for three suspects as of Wednesday afternoon.
One of the region's most senior police officers issued a warning on Wednesday to anyone found offering safe haven to the trio, with investigators "exploring potential links" between the brazen attack and outlaw bikies.
Detectives have spoken with the 34-year-old, who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
The man has undergone surgery and remained in a critical but stable condition in John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
Police and paramedics were called Golden Whistler Avenue about 10.45pm after reports of a shot fired.
They found the wounded 34-year-old at the scene being helped by neighbours.
He was taken to Maitland Hospital before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.
Police on Wednesday were continuing to comb the crime scene for clues.
A weapon has not yet been recovered.
Nearby residents told of hearing men yelling and screaming, followed by a single shot - which some believed sounded like a shotgun.
One neighbour, who went out her front door to see what had caused the commotion, said she saw a group of men speed away from a nearby home in a car.
She then saw the injured 34-year-old.
"He was conscious but he was pretty crook," she told the Newcastle Herald.
"He was a horrible colour."
Another nearby resident described the gunshot as "very loud".
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commander Detective Superintendent Chad Gillies said the attack was believed to have been targeted, but would not comment on a possible motive.
Detective Superintendent Gillies said investigators were "exploring potential links to outlaw motorcycle gang members".
He said three men went to the Golden Whistler Avenue home and became involved in a "scuffle" with the 34-year-old, before one of them shot him.
The trio fled the scene in a white Mitsubishi Magna, which was later found burnt-out at Railway Parade, Telarah - a few suburbs away.
Detective Superintendent Gillies said police believed they knew the identity of one of the men and were working to track him down on Wednesday.
"My message to that individual and the other two males involved in the incident is to please hand yourself in at the local police station at the earliest opportunity," he said.
"Anyone that has information and knowingly harbours these individuals is potentially committing a criminal offence."
- Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
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