A car found torched in a Warrington park could be linked to the earlier shooting of a man left outside a hospital.
Detectives are investigating after the man, 37, was dropped off at the entrance of Warrington District General Hospital by a driver in a black car.
The vehicle drove off, leaving the man outside who was in a serious but stable condition.
Shocked staff rushed to the scene to help him at around 6.40pm.
Now, the ECHO has learnt police are probing potential links between the shooting and the deliberate arson of a car on Blackbrook Avenue, in the Padgate area of the town.
A large section of Peel Hall Park had been sealed off by detectives this morning.
The ECHO understands officers are treating the shooting and the car arson as possibly connected.
A spokeswoman for the force said they are "keeping an open mind.
Officers are also carrying out house to house enquiries in and around Somerset Way, next to Monk Sports and Social Club in Woolston.
This is believed to be where the victim sustained his injuries.
Crews from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service alerted police about the car arson which happened at around 7.30pm on Monday evening.
Enquiries are ongoing and officers are trying to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire, police said.
The time the injured man was dropped off, and the blaze were just an hour apart.
Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 568279. Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
A man was left at the entrance to a hospital after he was shot in the stomach.
Detective Inspector Chris Maddocks, of Warrington Local Policing Unit, said: “At this stage we believe this is an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the local community.
“However, I understand an incident like this can cause concern and we are working hard to establish the circumstances.
“As part of the investigation local community officers will be in the area to provide reassurance and anyone who has any concerns or information is encouraged to speak to them.”
He added: “We are in the early stages of the investigation and are trying to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
“It would have been very busy around the hospital shortly after 6.30pm and I am keen to hear from anyone who may have seen an injured man arrive in a black car or if you saw the car drive away.
