A MAN has been executed in the inner city Sydney suburb of Forest Lodge.

NSW Police said the man, believed to be in his late 20s or early 30s, was reportedly shot in the head before he stumbled into the middle of a street and died this afternoon.

Police were called to the intersection of Hereford St and Minogue Cr at Forest Lodge about 12.40pm, a statement said. Acting Superintendent Sam Crisafulli told reporters the victim appeared to have suffered “head injuries” and was “sadly found deceased on the street”, just one block from Forest Lodge Public School.

“It was clearly a violent attack with very, very serious consequences,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“A firearm was found at the scene but at this point in time we are not sure whether or not that was the cause of the injuries, that’s something we are going to be investigating.”

There are unverified reports that a samurai sword could also have been used in the attack.

Several witnesses reported seeing a man and a woman “in an altercation” with the victim prior to his death, according to police. Witnesses later told police they saw the victim bleeding profusely from the head as he staggered down nearby Ross Street

“We believe that the injuries were caused during the altercation and that he was able to get down to the street where his body has been found by police … where he died,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“We are currently searching for that man and woman who we would like to help us with our inquiries.”

The pair fled the scene after the suspected shooting.

The firearm found near the man’s dead body has been seized and several crime scenes have been set up on the street and inside a house. Officers later made a forced entry into a second building in Hereford Street — 150m from the body — after finding a large amount of blood in the street and on a white car, The Daily Telegraph reports. The officers reportedly followed a bloody trail from the body to a house, according to the newspaper.

It was initially believed the two suspects had hidden in a house on the street but police were now searching a wider area.

“I am satisfied with a search of the area by police that these people that we are looking for are not around at the moment,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Pretty soon we will be letting some community members who live in the street back into their homes.”

The victim’s body lay in the middle of the road, covered in a white sheet, surrounded by dozens of police officers and detectives, until it was rmeoved about 5.30pm.

A police helicopter was been dispatched to scour the area for the two suspects. It’s believed detectives on the scene have already uncovered the weapon allegedly used to gun down the victim.

FOREST LODGE: Minogue Cresent is closed in both directions between Bridge Rd and Wigram Rd due to a police operation. Use local diversions as directed and allow extra travel time. — Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) August 10, 2018

Neighbour Daniel Turner, who lives down the street from where the man’s body was found, told news.com.au he overheard police calling for a special response team following the incident.

Mr Crisafulli said he had a message for the alleged shooter or shooters.

“Those people should … if they live in the street … come back to the police at the crime scene and we will negotiate with them.”

Officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command are searching for witnesses and have urged anyone who might’ve been in the area around lunchtime to contact them.

Police have blocked off roads around The Crescent as they continue their investigation.

Forest Lodge Primary School is less than a block away however all of the students had spent the day away at a sports carnival.

megan.palin@news.com.au | @Megan_Palin