Man shot dead in the carpark of a Sydney petrol station is identified – as details about his ties to the criminal underworld are revealed

The man shot dead by a balaclava-clad gunman in the parking lot of a busy gas station has been identified as Nidal Acherkouk.

The gunman remains on the run after police were called to Baptist Street in Surry Hills at 7.45pm on Friday after locals reported hearing gunshots.

Officers found Acherkouk, in his 30s, near the parking lot of a BP gas station at the corner of Crown and Cleveland streets.

NSW Police confirmed on Saturday that Acherkouk had links to underworld organizations in Sydney and was known to police.

South Sydney Police Area Superintendent Andrew Garner said Acherkouk suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body.

“He was alone in his car at the gas station,” he told a news conference.

“He then exited the vehicle and proceeded on foot along Cleveland Street, where he succumbed to his injuries.”

More to come…

The gunman remains on the run after police were called to Baptist Street in Surry Hills after locals heard gunshots at 7.45pm on Friday (pictured is Friday’s scene)