"I saw a police officer trying to resuscitate the person. They were on the driveway."
Another worker from the shops said he heard a single gunshot, prompting him to run outside.
"I saw a blue car driving away ... at speed."
He couldn't see the man who had been shot, as people were already crowding around him, he said.
A police cordon, guarded by an armed officer, at the scene included not only the property where the man died but a large section of the road surface.
It was still in place early evening, as officers from half a dozen police cars remained at the scene, along with an ambulance crew.
Earlier, children from nearby Flat Bush School and Flat Bush Kindergarten were briefly placed in lockdown.
By dusk, only a few neighbours were milling around quietly, and those spoken to by the Herald expressed surprise at the violence incident in their street. None knew the man killed in the shooting.
One woman said she had lived in the area for 10 years and it was "not a bad street".
"I'm really shocked. I like it around here and I feel pretty safe. I'm hoping it's a one-off."
Acting Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said tonight police were working hard to identify those responsible.
"This is a serious and tragic incident and we are doing everything we can to locate anyone involved.
"Anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information which may assist our investigation is urged to contact police immediately."
Information can be provided to Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1321 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
