Witnesses today told of scenes of panic and "blood everywhere" after one man was killed and a second wounded in a double shooting outside a Tube station.

Armed police were called to reports of several gunshots in the alleyway opposite Queensbury station, near Edgware, at just after 9pm yesterday.

The victim, aged in his 30s, was found slumped by a fire escape with bullet wounds. He died at the scene despite the attempts of friends and paramedics to save his life.

The second man, in his 20s, is today in a stable condition in hospital.

Since the start of the year the Met has launched more than 60 murder investigations, with 25 men aged 25 or under being shot or stabbed to death.

A witness said: “There were three or four gunshots, the man was laying near a fire escape. Someone was trying to save him. There were lots of people running in different directions.”

A worker at a local minicab office described how a man staggered into his cab office clutching his stomach and begging for help. "It seemed like he was in pain, he was walking backwards and forwards outside,” he said.

He added: “I was in the office working and I just heard a noise - I didn’t know it was gunshots, I thought it was fireworks."

Another 38-year-old neighbour said she saw a car abandoned at the entrance to the alley with three windows smashed.

She said: “I heard about three gunshots I looked out of the window and saw a car had been shot up. There were bullet holes in the windows. There is blood everywhere.”

Shop owner Liaqat Khan, 22, said the shooting was “a big shock” to the community. He said: “I heard shots like fireworks going off then the police arrived, it was crazy. "

Last night, the block of flats was sealed off by police as forensic officers combed the area.

One commuter tweeted: "What’s going on about Queensbury station? I’ve never been so scared getting home."

A resident in a block of flats, who said the men involved are believed to be local, said: “I heard five gunshots - I recognised the sound. Then I came outside and saw all the police.”

Police have since launched a murder probe and are appealing for information.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also tweeted appealing for anyone who knows anything about the shooting to contact police.

A statement said armed police were called to Cumberland Road, close to Queensbury Station, just after 9pm yesterday after reports of gunshots.

A man in his 30s was found suffering gunshot injuries and pronounced dead at the scene.

It is believed he was shot in Essoldo Way, behind a block of flats that overlooks the station.

Police said a post-mortem examination would be held in due course.

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Anyone with information should phone police on 101 quoting CAD 7757/01May, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.