The incident occurred just after 3.00am, with police called to the scene at Wickham after receiving reports of a man being injured.

On arrival police found the victim had suffered a gunshot wound and he couldn't be revived, dying at the scene.

It is not yet known how many people were involved in the incident, but police confirmed the elderly father of the victim was at the scene at the time of the shooting.

The father is assisting police with their inquiries, and although shaken, is uninjured.

Newcastle City LAC Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Peter Mahon said the investigation was still in its early stages and information was scarce, with Police currently chasing leads.

"We don't want to speculate but we believe the people involved are male. How many are involved, well we're not sure at this stage."

Police confirmed they had located a small amount of drugs at the scene, but the haul is not a commercial quantity.

"At this stage the crime scene is still there. There is a number of cannabis plants and a small amount of leaves, which is believed to be cannabis."

Officers say that the drugs are not related to the crime at this stage.

Police believed there are a number of people who were in the vicinity of Dickson Street at the time of the shooting and urged them to come forward with information.

"We appreciate the public's assistance. At present we're doing an extensive canvass and have a number of lines of inquiry we're looking at," said Mahon.

Newcastle Herald