A man was shot dead in the city of Machida in western Tokyo on Friday evening, with two suspected attackers on the run, police sources said.

The man, in his 50s and believed to be linked to a gang, was apparently shot at least three times, including in the abdomen and neck. He was confirmed dead after being taken to a hospital.

Two men fled the crime scene in a white car. Two shell casings were found at the scene.

Police received an emergency call at around 7:40 p.m. that a person had been shot at a restaurant in a complex near Machida Station.

According to the sources, the attackers opened fire on the victim, who was in the restaurant. They also shot the victim after he ran out of the restaurant.

The man was found lying about 20 meters away from the restaurant. No one else was injured.

The Metropolitan Police Department is searching for the attackers, who are said to be middle-aged with short hair, with one of them wearing a gray jacket, black pants and sunglasses.

While gun violence is extremely rare in Japan, the shooting comes just a day after four people were killed, including two police officers, in a shooting and stabbing in Nakano, Nagano Prefecture.