A son of well-known Canadian Thoroughbred owner Harry Paskalidis was gunned down in an execution-style slaying outside his father's home on Tuesday afternoon.

Brian William Paskalidis, 35, was found dead by police on the driveway of his father's home in Vancouver, British Columbia. Witnesses say they heard two bursts of six gunshots and that the shooter appeared to keep firing while Paskalidis was on the ground, the Province reports.

Brian Paskalidis operated a family-owned restaurant in Vancouver; his brothers Paul and Harry formerly ran the Trackers cafeteria on the backstretch at Hastings Park.

"Anyone involved in racing in any significant way is familiar with [the family]," said racing writer Geoff Mussellam. "They were well-liked."

Constable Phil Reid of the Burnaby Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the authorities have no motive and no suspect.

"We are telling people in the area to be vigilant until we make absolutely, positively sure that this guy was the target," Reid said.

Among the horses owned by Harry Paskalidis is Greek Punishment, a son of Wander Kind who finished second in the 1995 Hastings Stakes.