Suspected gunman accused of opening fire, injuring man in Brighton on Christmas morning

Police are on the hunt for a suspected gunman who left a man hospitalised after a nasty Christmas morning confrontation at William Street Reserve.

Police are on the hunt for a suspected gunman who wounded a foe at William Street Reserve. Picture: Brendan Beckett, stock image.

A Christmas morning confrontation in a dark Brighton park has ended in a nasty gift in the shape of a bullet.

Police are on the hunt for a suspected gunman who wounded a foe at William Street Reserve, which is opposite Alverna Grove.

A patrol was sent to the area after reports of shots being fired in the park were made about 3.50am.

But the officers found no sign of activity at the cricket oval or in Alverna Grove, which is a dead-end street.

Police say a short time later a man attended Clayton hospital with a suspected non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Investigators believe the two incidents are linked and the people involved are known to one another.

A police crime scene van was at the park on Christmas morning.

The investigation remains ongoing.

It is not known if the injured man has been questioned by police at this stage or has provided a statement.

Police have asked for any witnesses, or people with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppers.com.au