A Bangladeshi man working as a food delivery driver for DoorDash was shot dead in what investigators believe was a targeted attack in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US on Tuesday night.
The victim, identified as 43-year-old Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque, was found with a gunshot wound to the back of his head in the Kingsessing neighborhood after police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1000 block of South Ethan Street at around 9:30pm local time.
While local broadcaster NBC10 Philadelphia did not specify Haque's nationality, several Bangladeshi community news outlets in the United States identified him as being of Bangladeshi origin.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said officers found Haque lying on the ground near a vehicle with its engine still running. A large DoorDash delivery bag was also recovered at the scene.
Haque was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 10pm.
Police recovered two spent rifle shell casings within inches of where the victim was found, indicating he was shot from very close range, Small said.
Investigators believe the killing was premeditated and that Haque was deliberately targeted. Three masked suspects dressed in black have been identified, although their images have not yet been released.
Authorities said the vehicle found at the scene belonged to Haque.
Police also checked the address where Haque had reportedly been heading to make a delivery and found that no resident there had placed an order through DoorDash.
A bag containing food was recovered about a block from the crime scene, but investigators have not confirmed whether it was linked to the shooting.
In a statement, DoorDash said it was cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
"We are fully cooperating with law enforcement to help bring those responsible for this senseless incident to justice," a company spokesperson said.
Police have urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Philadelphia Police Department or submit anonymous tips online.
