Forensic experts examine the scene

Witnesses said a number of cars, containing Asian men, pulled up outside the cafe moments before shots were fired.

The 27-year-old victim was found at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds, and was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary, but pronounced dead a short time later.

A second Afro-Caribbean from Bradford was taken to hospital suffering from head and rib injuries, although police said these were the results of an assault and not a shooting as previously thought.

If I hadn't locked them out, more of us would have died

Denzie Morris Powell

Denzie Morris Powell, owner of the Young Lions Cafe, said: "Out of nowhere a whole load of cars pulled up and I called the police straight away.

"The man came staggering into the Cafe, bleeding but still alive, and a whole load of other people rushed in, trying to get away from the bullets.

"I had to barricade us in with a fridge and these people outside threw all kinds of stuff at us.

"If I hadn't locked them out, more of us would have died. The other man was bleeding from everywhere - they beat him up bad."

Appeal for calm

The scene of the shooting, one of Bradford's main shopping areas, was sealed off as forensic experts examined the area and house-to-house inquiries were carried out.

Det Supt Gregg said officers were working with community leaders to maintain calm in the area and trace those responsible for the shooting.

He did not believe the incident was linked to a series of shootings in nearby Leeds, which have left four people dead and nine injured.

Councillor Qasim Khan, of Bradford Council, appealed for people to stay calm.

"This is just the latest act in the area's history and I hope someone decides to do something about it."

Lumb Lane is known as a colourful area of Bradford, perhaps best known to those outside the area as the setting for the television series Band of Gold - the fictional story of a group of prostitutes.

A notorious red light district, it was one of Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe's killing grounds during his reign of terror in the late 1970s.

The area could be closed off until Monday. An incident room has been set up and anyone with information has been urged to contact the police.