A man died in a hail of gun fire in a “terrifying” drive-by in north-west London.

Witnesses reported hearing at least four shots in rapid succession as the man in his 20s was blasted at close-range from a blacked-out hatchback in Harlesden at just before 10pm last night.

Members of the public battled to resuscitate him before emergency services arrived but he was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and stomach.

Streets surrounding the junction of Church Road and Conley Road were sealed off by firearms officers as murder detectives launched an investigation.

Friends of the shot man claimed he was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of a postcode war between two rival gangs.

Vinod Patel, 48, a builder who lives with his family nearby, told the Standard: “I was relaxing watching TV when I heard about six shots like a machine gun.

“I went outside and saw people running towards him.

"He’d been shot in the chest and stomach but was still breathing.

“One man was trying to help and feeling his pulse.

"It was all so quick but he didn’t make it.

“About 15 minutes later a woman arrived she was shouting, crazy and upset in a serious way. I don’t know if she was a relative but she was out of control.

“I think it was definitely mistaken identity. I live around here and I know what it’s like.”

An 18-year-old witness said: “I was in the Cash and Carry and I heard a shot and came outside and at least another two shots went off really rapidly. It sounded like a machine gun.

“They shot him from point-blank range. They were going slowly at the time and then sped off down the street. The car had tinted windows so you couldn’t see inside.

“Two men ran after the car to try and get the number plate but it was too fast.

“There was a man who stopped to help the man on the ground. He was doing CPR and trying to keep him alive but I don’t think there was anything he could have done to save him. His chest was covered in blood and I saw the wounds.

“People were still trying to help him. There was big group standing round until the police came about ten minutes later.

“There are gangs in this area but this level violence is terrifying. That an innocent man has been caught up in it like this is just shocking. I just hope they catch them.”

Another neighbour said: “I heard a lot of gunshots in quick succession. There were lots of loud bangs. Then I saw all the blue lights. It’s terrifying.”

A Met spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 9.58pm on Wednesday to reports of a shooting in Church Road at the junction with Conley Road.

“Officers, firearms officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a man in his late twenties with gun shot injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Next of kin have yet to be informed. Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

“At this early stage officers believe that the victim was shot by a male suspect who fled the scene in a vehicle.

“No arrests have been made and enquires continue.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.