Fatal shooting of Sydney man 'could be drug deal gone wrong'

Police believe the targeted shooting of a 22-year-old husband and businessman in Sydney’s southwest could have been about a drug deal gone wrong.

Hedi Ayoub was shot dead out front a playground in Punchbowl yesterday afternoon by a group of men.

Residents say they heard several shots and screams.

Mr Ayoub was known to police and had previous convictions, and it is believed he knew his killers.

Tactical officers carried out a raid at a home on Canterbury Road in nearby Wiley Park today in connection to the investigation.

Police have no clear line of inquiry but they believe it is possible the shooting could be related to a drug deal gone wrong or Mr Ayoub’s business closing down.

“We believe it was targeted, they were there for a specific reason, whether or not he knew that reason is still subject to the investigation,” Detective Inspector Glenn Fitzgerald said.

Family and friends paid tribute to Mr Ayoub on social media and said they were "deeply saddened" by his death.

"May God have mercy on him and you rip hadi," one post read.

Raeann Hassoun told the Herald Sun Mr Ayoub was a year below her in school.

"He was a really good boy at school and never got in trouble. He was the golden child for his family," she said.