WOODLAND HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A 61-year-old doctor was found shot to death outside of a clinic in Woodland Hills, and police are now searching for the suspect.

A physician at a neighboring medical practice said the victim was identified as Dr. Hamid Mirshojae.

It happened sometime before 7 p.m. Friday outside the clinic located on Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the suspect approached the victim as he was walking toward an SUV — owned by a doctor at the clinic — and shot him.

Mirshojae was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the victim was found near the driver’s side of a white SUV in the parking lot of the Woodland Hills Medical Clinic and Urgent Care. There were several bullet casings next to it, according to investigators.

“I just saw him two days ago in the morning,” Dr. Azin Kolahi told ABC7, her voice choked with emotion. “He always had laughter on his face. Very kind, very sweet.”

A description of the suspect was not immediately available, but shooter fled on foot.

A motive for the shooting has not been determined, but it was being investigated as a homicide.

“It’s hard to get a message like that early in the morning,” Kolahi said, referring to when she was notified of Mirshojae’s death. “We always hear it but it doesn’t pertain to you. When you know someone it hits at home.”

Anyone with information about the killing was urged to call the LAPD’s Topanga station at (818) 756-4800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls can be directed to (877) 527-3247. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or go directly to lacrimestoppers.org.