Detectives said a number of shots were fired at both men

Amarjit Singh, 52, and his nephew Raginder Singh, 35, were shot dead after they asked the driver of a parked car to move from behind Forest View Hotel in Forest Gate, east London, which they owned.

According to the family friend, the car moved but three men, believed to have been in the car, came back minutes later and began vandalising a delivery van.

When the Singhs heard the noise and went to investigate they were shot down.

Amarjit Singh's 26-year-old daughter also went outside, but escaped unhurt.

The family friend said: "Everyone is in shock, they can't believe it."

We are certain these men would have been forced to run in front of several moving vehicles to make their escape Detective Inspector Ian Stevenson

As well as the hotel, Amarjit, known as Mark, and Raginder, known as Raj, owned other businesses in the area.

The family live in a substantial property behind a 10-foot electric gate in Chigwell, Essex.

Police said the two dead men were businessmen with no criminal links.

A spokesman said: "Officers are aware that immediately prior to the shooting Amarjit Singh's vehicle, which had been parked in Atherton Mews, was attacked and damaged by three men.

Running away

"One line of inquiry at this early stage is that this incident, and the subsequent shooting incident, could be linked to a dispute over parking spaces."

Three men, described as Asian, were seen running away after the incident.

Detective Inspector Ian Stevenson, of Scotland Yard's Specialist Crime Directorate, said: "The roads would have been incredibly busy with many pedestrians in the area and a constant flow of vehicles.

"We are certain these men would have been forced to run in front of several moving vehicles to make their escape."