Police believe Sydney crime figure Pasquale Barbaro’s links to the Italian mafia caused him to become the third member of his family executed in a gangland hit, a year after surviving an earlier attempt on his life.

The murder is also feared to part of a gangland war after Mr Barbaro became the fourth underworld figure killed in Sydney in the past eight months.

The 35-year-old was shot several times on Monday night after visiting the Earlwood home of fellow underworld figure George Alex, who the unions royal commission had suggested be investigated for possible corruption over his construction industry dealings.

As a member of the Barbaro crime family, Pasquale Barbaro was involved in the Australian branch of the Calabrian mafia.

He was the grandson of Peter Pasquale Barbaro, who was shot dead in 1990 before he was due to give evidence against almost 30 mafia figures.

His uncle, also called Pasquale Barbaro, is serving a 30-year sentence for a massive drug bust.

Superintendent David Johnson said the 35-year-old was shot a number of times.

“He did have a vehicle there… so clearly he was about to drive away from the scene,” Superintendent Johnson said.

It is unclear how many people were involved in the shooting, police said.

Mr Barbaro was due to face court in early December on drugs charges.

Keith Moore, whose book Busted examines the Barbaro family, told AAP the mafia may have silenced Mr Barbaro because it was rumoured he had broken its code of ‘omerta’, or silence, and become an informant for the NSW Crime Commission.

The getaway vehicle

A grey Audi Q7 was seen speeding away from the street and a vehicle of the same make and model was later found burnt out at Goddard Park in Concord.

It was taken for forensic examination.

Superintendent Johnson said information from the community was crucial.

“It’s so important that any members of the public who may have seen or heard anything, or his associates, who he may have seen leading up to this incident, it’s so important that they come forward to help us solve this crime,” he said.

“This person is well-known to police… there are going to be many persons to speak to over the coming days to try and establish this person’s movements and who his dealings were with.”

Superintendent Johnson said anyone with inside knowledge about the shooting should not think that keeping quiet will spare them from reprisal.

“Given the sort of nefarious activities that these people are engaged in clearly it’s in their best interest to come forward and speak to police,” he said.

Police sweep the street where the shooting occurred. Photo: AAP

“Because clearly last night these people are dangerous people and it’s in their best interest to do so.

“Ashfield police and the Homicide Squad will be working tirelessly on this particular matter to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Superintendent Johnson said.

It is understood the victim was to face the Sydney District Court next month on charges of manufacturing illegal drugs.

Locals hear shots, loud bang

Local resident Enza D’Angelo said she heard the shots being fired.

“At first I thought it was fireworks and then I thought ‘no, that was definitely a shooting’,” she said.

“It wasn’t just two shots … it was sort of like … constant.

“You wouldn’t think things would happen like this so close to home and especially in Earlwood.”

Police search a crime scene at Earlwood following the fatal shooting. Photo: ABC

Another local, Charlie Colosimo, said he heard a loud bang on Monday night.

“It was like a car smashing into a garage door,” he said.

“From the front of the house that’s what I thought about.”

He went back inside and later discovered a man had been shot.

“It makes me feel afraid because it never happens here at all,” he said.

– with AAP, ABC