Olympique Marseille director's son killed in shooting

French police at the scene of the crime. (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images)

Olympique Marseille director Jose Anigo’s son was killed in a shootout in Marseille on Thursday. The French police suspect Adrien Anigo was the victim of a gangland killing, BBC News reports.

The 30-year-old was gunned down as he stepped out of his car.

The shooting was one of two reported incidents on Thursday, and is understood to be part of a pattern with 15 such killings occurring in Marseille this year.

QPR footballer Joey Barton, who spent last season on loan at Marseille, tweeted his condolences to Jose Anigo.

The thoughts of me and my family go out to Josè Anigo, his family and all at Olympique Marseille right now. Sorry to hear the tragic news.

— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) September 5, 2013

According to the Marseille police, Adrien Anigo was shot at point blank range in the head, in one of Marseille’s northern suburbs at around 16:00 (14:00 GMT).

Adrien had been detained by the police in the past, after he was suspected of playing a role in a number of armed thefts, but was released.

Majority of the murders have been linked to the drug mafia present in Marseille.