Police say a man walked into a Forest Lawn barber shop around 5 p.m. on Saturday, exchanged a few words with a customer inside before pulling out a gun and killing him.

According to police, it's believed the suspect got into a silver SUV that was parked on 20th Avenue S.E., across from the barbershop, and fled.

The name and age of the victim has not been released pending an autopsy.

The victim was already dead when police arrived. (CBC)

The area was busy at the time of the shooting and police say it was lucky no one else was injured or killed. They say it was likely a targeted attack "linked to an ongoing dispute between gangs connected to the drug trade" and that the victim was "known to police."

"Following the shooting, police engaged in suppression activities in an attempt to reduce further retaliatory offences," said a Calgary police news release.

Police are asking for anyone with information on the incident to contact them at 403-266-1234 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers.