NSW Police believe a grandmother who was shot dead after answering a knock at the front door of her Newcastle home on Tuesday night was the victim of a targeted attack.
Police were called to a home on Queens Street in Stockton just after 8:00pm following reports of a shooting.
Stacey Klimovitch, 61, died at the scene after she was shot in the chest by a shooter that fled on foot.
It is understood one of Ms Klimovitch's daughters, 31 and newborn grandchild were in the home at the time.
Detectives have formed Strike Force Backhouse to investigate and are asking for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the surrounding area to contact them.
Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey described the incident as "horrendous" and said the victim was not "significantly known to police".
He reassured residents that the shooting was not random.
"The likelihood of a recurrence of this offence is very unlikely. This is a targeted attack," he said.
Local resident Amanda said she had lived in the area for 11 years and felt safe but the shooting had left her worried.
"We're a little bit perturbed," she said.
"We don't really have any gun-related crimes."
A crime scene has been established and forensic police are on the scene.
