A shooting on Wednesday afternoon in Pickering has sent a 24-year-old man in critical condition to hospital.

Police say the victim was shot as he answered the door of his home on Fieldlight Boulevard in the Finch Avenue and Liverpool Road area at about 12:45 p.m.

He was airlifted to a Toronto hospital.

Six area schools including Vaughan Willard Public School, William Dunbar Public School, St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School and Maple Ridge Public School were placed under lockdown for more than two hours.

Investigators don't know the motive for the crime but say they believe the victim knows who shot him.

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.