A man who died after being gunned down in the street has today been identified as a father-of-two from Strood.

Scaffolder Xhem Krasniqi, 31, was in Brighton with his wife and two young children to visit family.

He and two other men were targeted by a gunman in what police described as a "horrific" street shooting in nearby Hove, East Sussex, on Saturday night.

Detectives are treating the Albanian national's death as murder and as attempted murder the shootings of the two other men who survived.

Neighbours of Mr Krasniqi today spoke of their shock at learning of his death.

"This was a dreadful incident and his family, as you can imagine, are distraught..." DCI Jeff Riley

They said he and his wife had lived at the end-of-terrace house, which has a trampoline in the front garden, for about six years.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I heard what happened and was shocked. They have got two young children, including a girl who goes to school locally.

"I knew the family. They are a nice, quiet family."

Officers today said they are confident they know who was involved and are seeking a man they want to question - issuing a warning to all ports in case he tries to leave the country.

Friends of Mr Krasniqi called him a "lovely guy", with one saying: "It's a shock for us and the community".

Mr Krasniqi and the two other men were walking towards the offender in Church Road, Hove, when shots were fired at the three men at about 11.30pm.

Mr Krasniqi was hit in the torso and was treated at the scene before being taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, where he died in the early hours.

Police believe a pistol, which has not been recovered, fired at least three shots at the men, who are all Albanian. The two other men were not injured.

DCI Jeff Riley, from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said the shooting took place in a busy road and witnesses have provided valuable information.

He said: "We are still piecing together all the evidence, but we have identified a man we would very much like to talk to in relation to this incident.

"We will not be publicising his name at this time but be assured that we are make every effort to trace him and all ports have been informed should he try to leave the country.

"We believe there is a link between this man and the group of three men and this forms a key line of our inquiry.

"One scenario is that the group and the offender may have agreed to meet, but we are open minded about this and as to the motive. This is not gang-related and there is no suggestion that the group of three men was part of any criminal group."

Mr Riley added: "This was a dreadful incident and his family, as you can imagine, are distraught. We are working closely with them and we are offering them all support through dedicated family liaison officers."

A post mortem is taking place today and this will involve a ballistics expert to help in the investigation.

DCI Riley added: "We have had more than 20 witnesses come forward and CCTV is being checked in the area although there is no CCTV of the incident available at this time.

"We are investigating this as a murder and two attempted murders. Many local people have been shocked and distressed by this incident, but I can reassure them that we believe this was not a random incident and that they are at very low risk."

Anyone who can help with the murder inquiry is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, quoting 1687 18/5 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.