A "RUTHLESS" armed robber gunned down a man at close-range at a Green Lanes off licence despite fleeing the scene empty-handed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The gunman entered 24-hour Rainbow Food and Wines, just before 1.50am, wearing a black motorcycle helmet paired with a black biker jacket, and demanded the cashier hand over the evening's takings.

At first, the victim, Aziz Ozlu, 51, who was keeping his friend company during his late-night shift, thought the stick-up was a prank and asked the gunman if he was joking, friends said.

It was then his attacker pulled out a small handgun and said: "Does it look like I'm joking?" before blasting Mr Ozlu in the neck.

He was rushed to an east London hospital in serious condition but is now stable. The cashier and a customer escaped without injury.

After the shooting, witnesses told police the gunman and an accomplice, similarly disguised, fled on a motorcycle heading in the direction of Manor House.

It is believed the pair were involved in a similar incident at a shop in Shoreditch, Hackney, 20 minutes later. No one was hurt and the suspects cleared the till.

Haci Ulger, who has owned the store since 2004, said he had been unable to sleep following news of the attack and had visited Mr Ozlu in hospital.

He said: "The good news is Aziz is still alive, but this is a terrible thing to have happened. It makes everybody feel bad. It gives the place a bad character. And this is just one of many robberies that has been happening in this area.

"We never even keep much money at night, no more than £100, so it is sad to think someone out there is so willing to risk taking a man's life for such a small amount of money. In the end, the robbers left with nothing.

He added: "It could have easily been me."

Eye witnesses at a nearby shop claimed to have seen two men on a motorbike hanging around. They told police they drove in the direction of Wood Green and, minutes later, heard a shot being fired.

Mr Ulger, whose shop is on the corner of Green Lanes and Fairfax Road, believes his off licence was targeted because it was quiet and more isolated than the others in Green Lanes.

The neighbouring kebab shop has recently closed, and the other businesses in the parade close much earlier.

Bustling Queen's Head pub, in Grand Parade, has also been forced to shut after losing its 24-hour licence.

The owner's daughter, Filiz Ulger, said: "You have to ask yourself if it is worth it. Is it worth staying open so late if there is a chance you could be killed?"

Detective Inspector Matt Carter, of Finchley Flying Squad said: "A man is in hospital lucky to be alive.

"The suspects were extremely ruthless and more than willing to use violence as a means to an end.

"I would urgently appeal to any witnesses of either incident to contact police."

The gunman has been described as more than six feet tall and of slim build. Witnesses in the shop also told police that when the gunman raised his hand to pull the trigger, his jacket sleeve rolled back to reveal black skin.

There is no description of either the accomplice or the motorcycle, detectives said.

No arrests have been made in connection with either incident but forensic teams were still combing the crime scene for the bullet that injured Mr Ozlu.

Anyone with information is asked to call Finchley Flying Squad on 020 8358 1751. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.