A father-of-two was gunned down on a family trip to the seaside.

Albanian scaffolder Xhem Krasniqi was visiting his brother and nephew when he was shot dead in Church Road, Hove on Saturday.

His wife, named locally as Lefterie, and two children joined Mr Krasniqi on the trip but were not with him when he was killed.

Police are investigating whether his killer had arranged to meet him that evening along with his brother and nephew.

The 31-year-old, who lived in Kent, was rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital but died an hour-and-a-half later at 11.30pm.

His brother and nephew escaped uninjured but were “very distressed”.

Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Riley, who is leading the investigation, said the family was heartbroken.

He said: “They are incredibly devastated.

It is horrifying.”

He added: “This is not gang-related and there is no suggestion that the group of three men were part of any criminal group.

“One scenario is that the group and the offender may have agreed to meet, but we are open minded about this and the motive.”

Mr Krasniqi was originally from Albania but had lived in the UK for a number of years. Ports have been put on alert amid fears the gunman could try to flee the country.

DCI Riley said police had an idea who the murderer was and there were efforts to trace him. He refused to say whether the suspected killer was also Albanian.

He said: “There is no suggestion that this is being linked to any other crime.

“We believe there is a link between the suspect and the victims.”

Police are still hunting for the pistol used to shoot Mr Krasniqi.

DCI Riley continued: “More than 20 witnesses have come forward and CCTV is being checked although there is no CCTV of the incident available at this time.”

Albanian Enver Godanci, who runs the Italian restaurant Tosca in Shoreham, which is popular with his countrymen, said: “There is a large Albanian community in Brighton and Hove, about 4,000 people, and this is very shocking.

It is so upsetting for his family but also shocking for the community.”

Neighbours of the family in Kent also spoke of their sadness.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard what happened and was shocked.

“They have two young children, including a girl who goes to the local school. They are a nice, quiet family.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting Operation Welbeck or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.