A man has been shot dead on a busy street of inner Sydney, prompting a major police operation.
The shooter remains on the run after police were called to Baptist Street in Surry Hills after locals reported hearing gunshots at 7.45pm on Friday.
Officers found a man, in his 30s, near the carpark of a BP petrol station on the corner of Crown and Cleveland Streets where it is believed the shooting took place.
Paramedics treated the man for a gunshot wound but he died at the scene.
A blood-soaked white sheet was seen covering the man’s body as paramedics desperately worked to revive him.
A Porsche, believed to be the getaway car, was found on fire in neary Kensington about an hour later.
Swarms of emergency responders were seen securing the intersection of Cleveland and Bourke Streets as the police operation got underway.
Dozens of police officers, at least five emergency vehicles and a Polair helicopter were called to the scene.
A local who was dining nearby told Daily Mail she heard three gunshots go off in the direction of the BP.
Witnesses had reported seeing the gunman jump from a car before the shooting.
‘He was then seen jumping into another car after the shooting, before fleeing the scene,’ a police officer told the Daily Telegraph.
Another witness said they saw a ‘bloodied’ man after the shooting.
Others described the police operation as ‘chaos’ as hundreds of onlookers out for dinner and drinks gathered while emergency workers tried to redirect traffic.
Businesses were forced to close up shop and patrons were told to leave immediately as officers scrambled to secure the area.
Cleveland Street has been fully cordoned off by police and sections of Bourke and Crown Streets have also been restricted.
Drivers have been asked to avoid the area.
An investigation has been launched and homicide detectives called in.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.