A man who made a gesture at a speeding car in a small Ontario town was shot several times in retaliation early Sunday morning, York Regional Police say.

The man, 65, is in the hospital in critical condition and “lucky to be alive,” Insp. Jim Killby told a news conference on Tuesday.

While walking his dog in a residential area, he made an “innocent gesture” at the speeding vehicle when it circled back and drove toward him, police say.

The window rolled down and the shooter fired 13 rounds at the victim, they say. Police have not said exactly how many shots struck the man.

“It’s not a road rage incident. This is attempted murder. And our victim is lucky to be alive” Killby said.

“We as a policing organization are stunned at this callous act of violence,” he added. “This was a cowardly violent act against the victim, who was doing nothing more than enjoying the morning.”

The shooting happened in the township of King, Ont., 60 kilometres north of Toronto.

Police are looking for two suspects, who fled in a white SUV, possibly a four-door Lexus RX350, with the shooter described as a light tanned male.

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Video of the vehicle driving in the neighborhood has been shared by the police department. It may have been driving around the area before the shooting, they say.

Police are asking anyone with video footage around the area at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday to come forward.