The 35-year-old man suffered a single gunshot wound to his left thigh just before midnight on Sunday but discharged himself from hospital shortly after, against the advice of doctors.

Yesterday, as New England detectives tried to piece together the motive behind the shooting, police said they didn’t believe it was a random or isolated attack.

“We don’t suspect that it is the case,” Armidale Inspector Chris McKinnon told The Leader.

“It’s not a random attack, it appears to be targeted.”

The midnight shooting on Donnelly St sent shockwaves through the Armidale community, as investigators trawled the crime scene.

The man told detectives he was at the front of the home when he approached a green Ford Falcon before he was shot.

“There is no need for public concern,” Inspector McKinnon said.

“We are trying to work out the reasons and circumstances surrounding what happened, but we believe it was targeted.”

With a crime scene examination completed, there was a breakthrough yesterday as detectives managed to interview the 35-year-old man, who was re-admitted to Armidale hospital for treatment.

“He returned to hospital yesterday and police are speaking with him at the moment,” Inspector McKinnon said.

“Police will obviously continue inquiries to work out what happened.

“If anyone has any further information that could help, certainly contact police or Crime Stoppers.”