There were several witnesses to the shooting and many were left in a state of shock.

Shortly before 5pm on Tuesday afternoon a masked man burst onto Rådmansgatan in central Lanskrona and fired several shots at the 44-year-old. The masked man then fled the scene on foot.

Police and ambulance were quickly called to the scene and the immediate vicinity was cordoned off as police were uncertain whether the gunman remained in the area.

The injured man was taken to Lund University hospital where doctors confirmed that he had died from his wounds. The man’s identity was established.

“He is a known criminal,” said Micke Persson at Skåne police.

The police were unwilling to confirm any further details about the man’s criminal past and were on Tuesday considering several explanations for the killing.

“One of the theories that we are working on is that it was some form of showdown.”

Police technicians instigated a crime scene investigation and police began to interview witnesses to the attack, and relatives of the man who had arrived at the scene.

“We have a great many people to interview and we hope that some details emerge,” said Micke Persson.