Toronto Police are appealing for public help in the “execution style” killing of Ngoc Ngo, 64, who was shot dead in the doorway of his west-end home early Tuesday evening.

“This is not a random killing. It is targeted by some perceived injustice by a 64-year-old gardener, or a mistaken identity where the shooter is just plain careless and has no regard for anyone else in that home or in the vicinity,” said Toronto homicide Det. Sgt. Pauline Gray.

“I am having difficulty coming to a place in my investigation where a 64-year-old man living in his home, in his slippers, is a threat.”

Paramedics found Ngo with multiple gunshot wounds in his home on Symington Ave., near Lansdowne Ave. and Davenport Rd., shortly after 5:45 p.m.

“I cannot believe that Mr. Ngo, a 64-year-old self-employed gardener, could have crossed paths with anyone who could perceive him as a threat,” she said, during a morning press conference.

Described as generous by his neighbours and a devoted family man, Ngo was married and has two children and a number of grandchildren.

His wife and another relative were home at the time of the shooting, Gray said.

“I’ve had unbelievable participation from the residents in the area. It’s quite a tight community and they’re quiet shaken by this killing.”

Witnesses reported seeing several white males fleeing the scene in a dark coloured “soccer mom” minivan, Gray said, adding police have collected video footage from nearby businesses.

One of the suspects is described as a white male, five-foot-eight with a heavy build in his early 20s with brown hair and baggy blue jeans.