A police hunt is under way after a man was gunned down in a hotel car park.
Officers including armed police were called to the Marriott Hotel on Old Shire Lane in Waltham Abbey, Essex today where the victim, thought to be in his 20s, was shot dead.
Essex Police are scouring the area to find the killer and are working with Scotland Yard and other neighbouring forces in the hunt.
A spokesman said that armed officers had "secured" the hotel site and detectives are speaking to witnesses. The shooting is not being treated as a terrorist incident.
The victim was treated by ambulance paramedics but declared dead at the scene, Essex Police said.
Chief Superintendent Luke Collison said: "Essex Police has mobilised a number of officers including armed units in response to this incident.
"At this time there is no evidence to suggest that there is any threat to the wider public or any link to terrorism.
"We will be constantly reassessing the information we receive as the investigation progresses to ensure that the safety of the public remains paramount.
"If anyone was at the hotel or in the Old Shire Lane area at the time of the shooting and has information of use to our enquiry I would urge them to contact us on 101."
The four-star hotel, which boasts a swimming pool and fitness centre, is close to the M25 motorway.
Caroline Jenkins, director of sales at the hotel, said: "We are working with the police on an incident that occurred this morning."
She said that the hotel remains open and it is "business as usual".