A man who survived a hail of bullets remains under police guard in hospital as investigators search for an attacker they fear may strike again.
Detectives are still waiting to speak with the 28-year-old, who they say could have been targeted in previous shootings.
The man was found with four gunshot wounds to various parts of his body outside a house at Winston Hills, in Sydney's west, which was peppered with bullets about 10.50pm on Wednesday.
A manhunt is under way with police working to determine if the attack is linked to an underworld dispute.
Detective Superintendent Barry Vincent said the man is known to police.
"Certainly his background will form part of police inquiries going forward," he said on Thursday.
Local officers were contacting specialist investigators and the State Crime Command following media reports the man had been targeted in previous shootings.
The victim remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition under police guard, for his own safety as well as that of health staff.
"Obviously we have concerns about the male being targeted and whether that may present other opportunities for the offenders that we're looking for," Supt Vincent said.
"The greater concern we have as well is the risk to the members of the public and the community."
Specialist forensic police were examining the crime scene the morning after the shooting, which resulted in numerous bullet holes at the front of the home, located in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac.
Two Toyota vehicles parked in the driveway also appeared to have been hit.
It was unclear whether the man was shot while still in his car or after leaving it, Supt Vincent said.
Links to a car fire in nearby Northmead are being investigated.
An SUV was found alight about 11pm and could not be salvaged, despite firefighters' best efforts.
Sydney was hit with dozens of tit-for-tat gangland shootings beginning in 2020 spurred by a war between rival crime organisations.
The public attacks included five targeted shootings during a week in mid-July.
But there has been a lull for much of 2024 after a series of arrests, which investigators say helped dismantle one of the major gangs behind the violence.
