Police in Northern Ireland are hunting a gunman who shot dead a man as he waited to collect his son outside a Belfast school.

The killer shot Jim Donegan, in his 40s, at least six times in the head and chest in a gangland-style murder on Tuesday shortly after 3pm in front of scores of schoolchildren.

The married father-of-two died instantly.

His son reportedly ran back into St Mary’s grammar school screaming after hearing but not seeing the shooting. Scores of other children who witnessed the murder were being offered counselling on Wednesday.

The killer, said to be aged in his 40s, wore a high-visibility vest with “security” stencilled on the back when he walked up to Donegan’s red Porsche, which had personalised number plates, as it was parked outside the school on Glen road in west Belfast. After killing the victim he left the scene on foot.

Jonathan Roberts, the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Belfast district commander, called the murder a reckless act.

“This was carried out in the immediate vicinity of three schools. There were a large number of schoolchildren in the area at the time and it is entirely possible that we could have had seriously injured or dead children as a result of this terrible act.

“There is clearly going to be a significant impact on children in this area as a result of this incident. Children come to school and expect to be educated and not to leave school and see an incident of this nature. They will understandably be traumatised by this.”

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information that will assist the investigation to contact the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers, an anonymous tip line, on 0800 555 111.

Donegan, known as JD, ran a haulage firm which operated in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Sinn Féin MP for the area, Paul Maskey, called the murder disgraceful and horrific.

“It is deeply concerning that this killing was carried out in full view of hundreds of kids who were leaving school at the time. Anyone with any information on the killing of this young man should bring it forward to the police.”