The bullet lodged in Eric Atkinson's lung

Eric Atkinson, 30, was shot after he told a man to remove his hood last Friday at the Derby pub in Widnes.

The father-of-one, who is originally from Liverpool but now lives in Deeside, north Wales, was heavily sedated in hospital on Tuesday.

Det Insp Paul Rumney, of Cheshire Police, stressed Mr Atkinson was not the victim of any feud.

Mr Atkinson had challenged two men to remove their hoods. One did so but the other fired a shot as he was being ejected from the pub.

The doorman managed to force the man outside but another three shots were fired, one striking Mr Atkinson in the neck.

It is believed the bullet is now lodged in his lung.

"There is no evidence that Eric was targeted," said Det Insp Rumney.

Eric Atkinson was working as a doorman at the Derby pub

"They approached the pub as customers and the gunman's associate has gone into the pub and to the bar.

"Eric has done everything perfectly lawfully and he has correctly challenged a person about a breach of dress code."

Mr Atkinson's mother Susan, 49, said: "Eric is a hard working lad who loves his wife and 11-year-old daughter.

"He's never done a thing wrong in his life and he would do anything for anybody."

She added: "He was just doing his job on Friday. He did everything by the book, and they shot him for no reason."