Matt Walker, 27, underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital following the shooting yesterday morning.

He is the older brother of soccer champion Zac Walker, who this year broke

the ­Albury-Wodonga Football ­Association’s all-time goal­scoring record.

Insp Lynelle Rodwell, of Albury police, said the victim was standing in the front yard of a house in Kurnell Street when a group of men arrived and a single shot was fired about 12.50am.

The bullet travelled through one of Walker’s wrists and penetrated his lower ab­domen, shattering bone.

Insp Rodwell said crime scene police from Wagga joined Albury detectives in ­investigating the incident yesterday.

“We’re still trying to ascertain what exactly happened leading up to the shooting,” she said.

“Crime scene is here, they’ve identified a number of exhibits and they’ve seized those.”

The exhibits included a cartridge round from a firearm, a beer can and some items of clothing left at the scene.

Yesterday morning, about 25 police were searching drains, parkland and homes for the weapon involved.

They were also dusting two cars parked in the front yard of the home for fingerprints.

At the time, Insp Rodwell said it was not known how many people were involved in the incident.

She said when police ­arrived, almost everyone had scattered by foot and by car.

“They got a few names but the people who live there weren’t there,” Insp Rodwell said.

Initially, Insp Rodwell said there was some “reluctance” by the people involved to say anything and that was ­hampering the police investigation.

But it is believed police spoke to several witnesses yesterday afternoon.

Insp Rodwell said police were appealing to members of the public for help.

“We’re still appealing for anyone who knows any information or was here to come forward,” she said.

“But at this stage we’re just conducting our investigations, trying to find out exactly what’s happened.