A man slain at the front door of his Dubbo home by an unknown gunman could have been killed by mistake.
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Yesterday Dubbo police revealed that the shooting death of George Thomas Howlett, 44, could have been a case of mistaken identity.
"There were a number of shots fired and the offender was intending to kill someone - it could have been a mistake, we are not ruling that out," Orana area crime manager Detective Inspector Michael Willing said.
Police also have not ruled out the possibility that a second person may be involved in the murder.
Strike Force Bundara has been formed to investigate the murder of the North Dubbo resident which happened on Tuesday night at a home in Fitzroy Street.
Dubbo detectives are leading the investigation, with the support of detectives from the Lachlan area command and three homicide squad investigators from Sydney.
Responding to a number of rumours circulating the city, Mr Willing denied the murder was connected to the recent bust of an amphetamines drug ring.
"At this point there is nothing to connect this murder in any way with Strike Force Winstead," he said.
"That investigation into the amphetamines supply ring is still ongoing, but this murder investigation is separate - there is nothing to suggest the two are connected.
"We are keeping an open mind and are following up a number of lines of inquiry."
The victim had close ties with the Lightning Ridge community, with police from the Castlereagh command making inquiries into his background in that town.
Police also revealed Mr Howlett had a criminal record, but refused to go into detail.
"We are looking at the sorts of connections between the deceased and Lightning Ridge - he frequented that area and we are digging up information on where he went, who he associated with and the kind of activities he was engaged in," Mr Willing said.
"On Wednesday afternoon we interviewed Mr Howlett's wife and, understandably, she's very, very distressed.
"She is staying with family and she was able to provide us with information on Mr Howlett's movements on the day of the murder."
Police believe Mr Howlett and his wife enjoyed an afternoon at the Railway Bowling Club on the day of the murder before returning home.
Mr Howlett was asleep before 9.30 that night but woke up to answer a knock at the door - he was gunned down in his hallway after opening the front door.
"The family are working closely with us, we are sharing information openly with them, we want them to be happy with the way the investigation is going so they are confident the police are going to get the job done," Mr Willing said.
"The gunman was six foot, of solid build and last seen wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and shorts and we believe he fled the scene in a white or light-coloured 4WD tray-top ute."
Police have released a photo of Mr Howlett and are appealing for members of the public who may have information about the murder to come forward.
"We have had some information come in from the public but we would love to hear more," Mr Willing said.
"Anyone who was in the North Dubbo area before 9.30pm on Tuesday, please contact us.
"If they saw anyone or a vehicle acting suspiciously in the weeks or days leading up to the murder, contact us and all information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
"Also, if people are hearing rumours please contact us - every lead will be followed up until it's exhausted."
Mr Willing also attacked sections of the metropolitan media that claimed Dubbo was worse than Redfern in Sydney.
"Unfortunately, murders happen everywhere and there is nothing distinctive about Dubbo," he said.
"There has been some tension here with regard to law and order issues and we certainly have crime here but I wouldn't say Dubbo was a crime hotspot.
"Some journalists in Sydney have been saying Dubbo is a problem community but we are no different from any other area.
"We are dealing with the problems here with the resources we have ... but the only way we can deal with crime is with the additional support and help of the community.
"This is not just a problem for police."
o Anyone with information about Tuesday night's murder is urged to contact Dubbo
police on 6881 3222 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.