Fears were growing last night of another loyalist feud following the murder of a prominent member of the Loyalist Volunteer Force in Newtownards, Co Down.
Mr Stephen Warnock died in front of his three-year-old daughter when up to 15 shots were fired into his parked car on the Circular Road at 11.35 a.m. yesterday.
His BMW was parked near the entrance of Regent House Grammar School.
The child, who was in the back seat, and another man inside the car, escaped uninjured.
However, detectives said the girl was treated for shock and was deeply traumatised by the incident. The shots were fired from close range by the pillion passenger on a motorcycle.
Mr Warnock slumped over the driving wheel. He died at the scene.
LVF sources last night confirmed he was one of their senior members and expressed anger at the killing.
There were fears that the murder could lead to a further deterioration in relations between the dissident group and the mainstream, pro-peace process UVF.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it was too early to establish a motive for the killing. However, police sources said they were investigating the possibility of an internal dispute or a drugs motive.
Eyewitnesses saw the motorcycle speeding off in the direction of Ards Shopping Centre. Police sources described it as a well-planned assassination. "It has all the hallmarks of a professional job," one said. "They fired from a motorbike at point-blank range and then made a quick getaway. It may be drugs-related or it may just be a dispute between loyalist paramilitaries."
Mr Warnock had previously been questioned by detectives about serious crime. He lived in Holywood, Co Down, but is originally from a well-known loyalist family in east Belfast.
Local DUP MP, Ms Iris Robinson, described it as a horrific attack. "We should be thankful that the burst of gunfire which killed this man did not kill others, especially pupils attending nearby Regents House school.
"No matter what the reasoning or motive given for the murder, all right-thinking people in Ards will be absolutely horrified that this atrocious murder has happened in their town.
"Murder is murder and I offer my thoughts and prayers to the family of the murdered man."
SDLP Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan, described the killing as a senseless act and said "dark and sinister" elements were obviously at work. Local Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Mr Tom Hamilton, said: "No cause is worth the taking of a life.
"It is disturbing that such an attack took place in broad daylight and that the life of a young child was also put at risk."
The North's Security Minister, Ms Jane Kennedy, said: "Another man has effectively been executed by cold-blooded gangsters who believe they are above the law.
"This barbaric murder could have been even more tragic as it was carried out while a very young child was in the car. Yet another family has been bereaved and I express my sympathy to them."