A man has been shot four times in various parts of his body overnight amid questions over potential links to Sydney's underworld.
The 28-year-old was found with gunshot wounds about 10.50pm on Wednesday in Winston Hills, near Parramatta, police said.
He was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition where he remains under police guard.
Specialist forensic police are expected to examine the scene on Thursday morning.
The circumstances pointed to a targeted shooting but it was too early to tell if it was gang-related, police told AAP.
The link to a car fire in nearby Northmead is also being investigated.
An SUV was found alight about 11pm and could not be salvaged, despite firefighters' best efforts.