A father gunned down outside a pub in an ambush died just two days after his wife’s birthday.

Gilbert Shino, 39, had just left the Harold Park Hotel on Ross St in Forest Lodge with his friend, 31-year-old Maradona Yalda, when they were ambushed on Sunday night.

The pair were sprayed with bullets as they walked to their car about 6.40pm, with Shino dying at the scene.

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Yalda was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with gunshot wounds to his neck, chest and abdomen.

Police are investigating if Yalda’s suspected links to an Assyrian organised crime group known as The Last Hour, and a reported contract on his life, are the reason behind the shooting.

Police had recently warned Yalda his life was at risk.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Shino was known to police through his links to Assyrian organised crime gangs but was not connected to any serious offending.

The pair had met up to watch an Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the Sydney pub for the afternoon along with three friends.

Police are now investigating if a burnt-out blue Ford Mustang, found on Primrose Ave in Rydalmere about 9.50pm on Monday, was involved in the ambush.

The car matches the description of the getaway car used in the shooting.

Police are investigating any links between the Mustang and the attack, as well as the possible motives behind the shooting.

No arrests have been made, and officers have not ruled out the involvement of more than one gunman.

Shino’s sudden death has devastated his loved ones.

www.20304050.best can reveal the shooting took place just two days after his wife Natasha Avakian celebrated her birthday.

The couple share two daughters and a son, who died last year.

“How am I going to live without you? You were my life,” Avakian wrote on Instagram.

“Since school, life’s up and downs … even though days are work you were there making the days full of fun and laughter.”

Avakian’s mother said she was proud to have had a son-in-law like Shino and that words could not describe how saddened the family was.

“Gibb u (sic) are a cherished member of our family ..u (sic) were a wonderful caring soul who would do anything for anyone,” she wrote.

“Words cannot describe how saddened we are to hear that u (sic) were taken to soon…

“U (sic) have an incredible heart if anyone needs help or support u (sic) always are first to offer …

“Thank u (sic) for looking after my daughter, supporting her and loving her so beautifully through joy and hard times …whom u (sic) are the luv (sic) of her life and thank for being the super dad for ur (sic) two little angles (sic) …

“U (sic) will be missed so dearly.. I’m so proud to have had a son in-law like u (sic) … I love u (sic) as if u (sic) were my own.”

Other loved ones also shared tribute online on Monday as they prepared to lay him to rest.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Gilbert Admon Shino, taken from us far too soon,” the tribute reads.

“His family will be accepting condolences at St Mary’s Assyrian Church.

“Funeral details will be confirmed in the coming days.”

Devastated friends flocked to the comments to pay tribute to the father-of-three and offer the family condolences.

“Love you my brother I will never forget you,” one mate said.

Another wrote: “Rest in paradise, Gibby praying for the entire family.”

“I’m still in shock. Rest in peace my brother for life. You were different. You didn’t deserve this! I love you always Gibz,” another commented.

A GoFundMe has been set up to “support his wife and daughters during this unimaginable time”.

“He was a devoted husband and a loving father to two beautiful girls who adored him more than anything in this world,” the fundraiser reads.

“His family was his everything, and he would have moved mountains to make sure they were cared for and loved.”

Shino has been remembered as an exceptional human being.

“To his friends and family, he was more than just someone we loved—he was the life of the party, always smiling, always lifting others up, and always there when you needed him.

“His warmth, kindness, and joy touched every person who had the blessing of knowing him.”